Through the first two weeks of NFL free agency, the Carolina Panthers have made an effort to address and upgrade their defense. The Panthers signed Bobby Brown III, Tershawn Wharton, and Patrick Jones II, who should help on the defensive line and pass rush.
Carolina also added more depth to the linebacker unit, signing Christian Rozeboom, and found a new starter at one of its safety spots in Tre'von Moehrig. Moehrig will likely start at strong safety, leaving an opening at free safety.
The Panthers will try to address the position before the 2025 NFL Draft as they have their eyes on two veterans. According to Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, the Panthers are hosting Julian Blackmon and Marcus Williams on Monday for a visit.
Along with Blackmon, former Saints and Ravens safety Marcus Williams is also visiting the #Panthers today, per league source. https://t.co/EwGQbKgH6B
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) March 24, 2025
Between Blackmon and Williams, Blackmon is the younger safety at 26 years old. Williams is 28 years old.
The 26-year-old Blackmon has spent the last five years with the Indianapolis Colts, who took him in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft. Last season with the Colts, the former third-round pick amassed 86 combined tackles, four pass deflections, three interceptions, a tackle for loss, a quarterback hit, and a fumble recovery.
Blackmon also possessed a 69.4 completion percentage allowed on targets, a 103.2 pass rating allowed when targeted, and gave up three receiving touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Williams was released by the Ravens during the first week of free agency earlier this month. The veteran defensive back struggled to play a full season in his three years in Baltimore (32 out of 51 games) due to injuries and poor play.
Last season with the Ravens, Williams benched midway through the 2024 campaign and did not play after Week 12. The veteran defender recorded 33 combined tackles, two pass deflections, a tackle for loss, and a fumble recovery in 11 games.
That said, it will be interesting to see if Carolina GM Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales will either of these two safeties or go in a different direction.