The Carolina Panthers should be paying close attention to cap casualties on defense this year. There are always former star defenders who are no longer worth what a team is paying them. That doesn’t mean they’re bad, but it does mean they’re headed for a release and can then sign with a different team on a much more appropriate contract.
That now includes former Panthers standout James Bradberry. He, like Darius Slay, is set to be released by the Philadelphia Eagles. He’ll be a post-June 1 release, and he could be a good target for the Panthers.
The secondary, with Jaycee Horn, is in better shape than the front seven in Carolina. Assuming they do re-sign Mike Jackson, the duo of Jackson and Horn mean cornerback can be put on the back burner. Adding a cheap veteran like Bradberry would solidify the room and give them a solid trio that can help the weak pass rush.
The big-money signings or high-profile draft picks should be at edge, IDL, linebacker, or even safety. Every other position is probably set to be a bargain-bin addition, which Bradberry would be. Not only is it a smart investment in the defense, it’s a cheap way to please the fans by bringing back someone they used to like watching.
Bradberry was a second-team All-Pro one season with the Eagles, a height he never reached in Carolina. However, he would only have to be cornerback two on the depth chart at best behind Horn, which would be an ideal situation for a veteran.
