CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A breakdown of the initial wave of free agency for the Carolina Panthers:
Overall grade: B-minus. This would have been a solid B had Bashaud Breeland not failed his physical. Dontari Poe is a solid pickup. Re-signing 38-year-old defensive end Julius Peppers also was big and somewhat overlooked. You also have to consider the trade for Torrey Smith because getting him lessened the need to sign a big-name free-agent receiver such as Allen Robinson or Sammy Watkins, who were given ridiculously high deals despite not having accomplished a lot.