The Carolina Panthers are heading into a crucial offseason as they try to recapture their 2015 dominance after a down 2016. They have some key free agents of their own they need to re-sign, but also need to bring in some other players to fill needs. Here are the three biggest free agents the Panthers should target this offseason:
1) WR Alshon Jeffery
Chicago is in full-on rebuilding mode, and after franchising Jeffery last year, the Bears are unlikely to use the tag on him again - and they're not expected to re-sign him (in part due to his four-game suspension this season for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy). Still, he's an elite red zone threat and a very good wide receiver at just 26 years old. Carolina is looking to upgrade their receiving core to help Cam Newton, and pairing Jeffery with Kelvin Benjamin would give them one of the best tandems in the league.
2) LT Matt Kalil
Speaking of helping Newton, Carolina needs to upgrade their offensive line, specifically at left tackle. Enter Kalil, the younger brother of current Panthers center Ryan Kalil. He was a Pro Bowler in 2012, his rookie season, but has since dealt with various injuries, causing inconsistent play - and driving his market value down. He'd be a low-risk, high-reward signing for the Panthers given the relatively cheap contract Carolina should be able to sign him too.
3) CB Stephon Gilmore
Gilmore has demanded top cornerback money from the Bills in seeking an extension with the team, but Buffalo quickly shot that down. As such, Gilmore will try to get that contract on the open market. Carolina likely won't give him that huge deal he's looking for (just ask Josh Norman), but with cornerback as a huge need, they will at least see what the market it like. And, knowing their mistake with Norman, they will likely be more willing to spend to upgrade the secondary.
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