The Carolina Panthers have been mostly quiet in free agency this offseason and now they are bringing in Jason Avant for a visit and this comes after the team lost Steve Smith and Brandon LaFell as free agents and if they don't sign the WR, the team could look to drat names like Marqise Lee, Jordan Matthews or Kelvin Benjamin for Cam Newton to throw to in 2014.
The Panthers made the playoffs as a division winner last season and they were one of the best teams overall in the NFC and now they come into things after losing their top three receivers, including Smith, LaFell and Ted Ginn and now they may look to the draft after missing out on Hakeem Nicks, Kenny Britt, DeSean Jackson and Eric Decker in free agency. The team appeared to be in the mix for Nate Burleson, but he signed with the Cleveland Browns and now Avant could be the next option after his time with the Eagles.
The Eagles released Avant after he started in a career high 13 games last season and they let him go after bringing back Riley Cooper and Jeremy Maclin while also giving DeSean Jackson the boot. The Panthers now could look to add Avant to a group that now includes Tiquan Underwood and Jerricho Cotchery and while those names are not as big as Steve Smith, they are very solid names for Cam Newton and if GM Dave Gettleman can add another name in free agency and the draft, the Panthers could have a very formidable wide receiving group.
The team looked to be the favorite for Hakeem Nicks when he became a free agent since that is his home state and they had some money to spend, but the team did not sign him and now they could be in the mix for Avant. According to Pro Football Talk, Avant and Thomas DeCoud are in for visits with the Panthers and this comes after he made 38 catches last season for 447 yards and he has been a very solid and healthy player in his career, playing in at least 15 games in all but two seasons and missing just two games over the past five seasons with the Eagles.
During his career Avant has 296 career receptions for 3,646 yards and 12 touchdowns and he could be a great veteran option, while names like Kelvin Benjamin and Matthews will be available in the draft. This season the WR class is very deep and the Panthers should be able to snag someone.
