On Thursday, we looked at some players that are candidates for release from their current teams that could be good targets for the Carolina Panthers. Admittedly, the pickings were a little slim on the offensive side of the ball. However, there are some spicier options on the defensive end that are more likely to be released and would be bigger difference makers on the side of the ball where the Panthers probably need more talent. Let’s dig into some names, starting one that’s already been released.
Bradley Chubb, Edge, Dolphins
The Dolphins got an early start on cleaning their cap sheet by releasing Chubb and Tyreek Hill several weeks before the start of free agency. Chubb is coming off a season in which he tallied 8.5 sacks one year after missing the entire season with a torn ACL. He’s good at both defending the run and getting to the quarterback, which is exactly what the Panthers need. Unfortunately, it’s what just about every team needs, so the Panthers are going to have quite a lot of competition for Chubb’s services should they choose to pursue them.
Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Bears
The Bears would save $15 million against their cap by releasing Edmunds. They’re over the cap to start the offseason, so they’ll be looking for avenues to save significant room. Edmunds is a good player, and he’s still just 27 (soon to be 28) years old. He’s just not worth the $17 million the Bears would owe him should he stay on the roster. The Panthers basically have no linebackers, so landing an above average player at that position that can stay on the field and force some turnovers would be a huge boost to this defense. He should be high on the priority list should he become available.
Malik Hooker, S, Cowboys
The Cowboys are way over the cap going into the offseason, so they’re going to have to make a lot of decisions and move a lot of people to get their books in order. That makes Hooker a prime candidate for release. His release would save the Cowboys $6 million with no dead money beyond this season. The Panthers need a safety to pair with Tre’von Moehrig almost as badly as they need a linebacker to play linebacker. Hooker is a more traditional free safety that Panthers fans have been hopelessly yearning for for several years. He’d be a nice complement to Moehrig’s more thumping style and add to an already formidable Panthers secondary.
Jonathan Greenard, Edge, Vikings
The Vikings have the worst cap situation in the league as it stands right now. They’re going to have to release some guys. Greenard is almost certainly going to be one of them. The Vikings would save nearly $19 million if they designate him a post-June 1 cut. He’s coming off a down season and already has void years on the back end of his contract. It’ll be really, really hard for Minnesota to keep him. Greenard is soon to be 29 and is just one year removed from back to back 12 sack seasons. If he can regain that form after coming off a shoulder injury, he’d be a great get for the Carolina defense.
Drue Tranquill, LB, Chiefs
The Chiefs are in a weird spot relative to what we’ve come to expect from them. Patrick Mahomes is coming off a torn ACL, and the team is over the cap. It’s a good spot for them to do a little reset. Tranquill will be 31 when next season starts, so while he has become a mainstay in Kansas City, the Chiefs could elect to go younger and cheaper at the position as they rebuild their roster. He wouldn’t be a longterm solution at linebacker, but the Panthers need all the help they can get at the position, even if it’s just for a year or two. Tranquill is still a very good player and would be a great plug and play option at that spot.