When it comes to the Carolina Panthers' offseason, fixing their defense is at the top of their to-do list. The Panthers were historically bad, ranking last in scoring and total defense last season while allowing an NFL-high six yards per play.
The performance has already had consequences as secondary coach Bert Watts, outside linebackers coach Tem Lukabu, and quality control coach Bobby Maffei were fired at the end of the season, and defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero is on thin ice as he heads into his third season in Carolina.
Long story short, changes are coming in Carolina and the Panthers may already have a free agent target after he was surprisingly released on Friday.
Roster Moves | We have released CB Kendall Fuller, RB Raheem Mostert and TE Durham Smythe. pic.twitter.com/TD3Ygu9vRt
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) February 14, 2025
Panthers Should Target Kendall Fuller to Rebuild Their Defense
The Miami Dolphins announced on Friday that they have released cornerback Kendall Fuller. A third-round draft pick by the Washington Commanders, he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs as part of the Alex Smith trade in 2018 before making his way back to the nation’s capital as a free agent in 2020.
The 30-year-old racked up 10 interceptions in his second stint with the Commanders, which lasted four seasons before signing a two-year deal with the Dolphins last spring. Fuller failed to record an interception with Miami but was still a serviceable player, allowing 27 catches for 316 yards and a touchdown with a 62.6% completion rate on 43 targets.
Fuller’s days as a starting cornerback are probably over, but at this point, the Panthers just need effective players. Cornerbacks Mike Jackson and Caleb Farley and safety Xavier Woods are free agents who are unlikely to return, and 2021 first-round pick Jaycee Horn graded 89th out of 128 qualifying corners with a 57.9 coverage grade last season.
With the Panthers’ run defense also needing a facelift, Fuller could be the first piece of an overhaul in Carolina. It won’t solve all of Carolina’s woes, but it’s a solid first step for a unit that doesn’t have a low bar to clear in 2025.