What's our free agent prospects look like?

The team doesn't really need "filler" guys at this point. There's a lot of good youth and role-players. There is $11.8 million in space according to overthecap.com. Compare that to about $8 million at this point last season with less outright holes in the Depth Chart.

The needs the team has are in some big-time positions, and that means better than the signings of the past 2 years.

Piece-meal secondary signings aren't going to be necessary. There are serviceable players at those positions. Norman and Benwikere are the likely starters at Corner, White and Carrington are cheap and young, Dockery is probably the only one not returning. Boston looked a little suspect in coverage at times, but he'll develop I think. Harper, DeCoud, and Jones were underwhelming, but still under contract. If there isn't a clear upgrade at Safety, I don't see a reason to sign a mid-level guy there. Most of the younger talent will likely be resigned though (Rahim Moore might be available if Denver can't resign everyone). Maybe a mid-to-late pick at safety in the draft again?

WR is coming along, and the crew wasn't obliterated like last year. KB and Cotchery are likely starting again; Philly Brown looks ok at 3/4. Bersin and probably Presley get demoted/cut/relegated to special teams. This year's draft is deep in WRs again, albeit with fewer immediate impact players. So I think that there is a WR picked in the first 3 rounds. There is a need for a Deep Threat/KR, and those guys just don't come cheap unless you're willing to put up with someone who is less than reliable.

Assuming Hardy is gone, there is a need for additional pass rush unless Ealy makes a big jump and Alexander returns to the field to provide depth. That is not going to be cheap.

LT is still a definite need. As far along as the line came last year, it's still well below average in pass protection. I don't see a blue chip falling this far in the draft, and the league is not short on teams trying to upgrade their line. Competition for FAs means big bucks.

/r/panthers Thread