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Carolina Panthers: Free Agents that should interest the Panthers

By Brandon Croce

GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 13: Strong safety Kenny Vaccaro #32 of the New Orleans Saints argues a penalty during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 13, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 13: Strong safety Kenny Vaccaro #32 of the New Orleans Saints argues a penalty during the second half of the NFL game at the University of Phoenix Stadium on September 13, 2015 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 27: Kenny Vaccaro #32 of the New Orleans Saints returns a interception during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 27, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Rams 49-21. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – NOVEMBER 27: Kenny Vaccaro #32 of the New Orleans Saints returns a interception during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at Mercedes-Benz Superdome on November 27, 2016 in New Orleans, Louisiana. The Saints defeated the Rams 49-21. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

Safety

The biggest question mark for the Carolina Panthers is at safety. The team lost one of their leaders on the defensive side of the ball with Kurt Coleman heading to the New Orleans Saints in free agency. The veteran, alongside Mike Adams, provided stability at the safety position last year which is something the Panthers haven’t had in a long time.

However, that departure has opened one starting position next to Adams. The team did address the position with free agent signing Da’Norris Searcy and third round rookie Rashaan Gaulden.

While Searcy has been a starting safety for most of his career, the team doesn’t have much depth after the three safeties mentioned. This is concern, especially since Adams will be 37 years old this year.

Fortunately for the Panthers, there are a number of starting-caliber safeties available right now. The two names at the top of this group is Kenny Vaccaro and Eric Reid. Vaccaro, a former first round pick of the New Orleans Saints, is expected to sign with a team prior to training camp.

Meanwhile, the situation around Reid seems to be a little more complicated. The starting safety joined Colin Kaepernick in kneeling during the national anthem in 2016. However, he has said that he would no longer kneel during the anthem.

If the Panthers can convince either to join the organization on a one-year deal, it would be a boost to this defense. It would also give Vaccaro and Reid a chance to build their stock heading into 2019 free agency.

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