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As good as the Carolina Panthers were in the 2026 NFL Draft, there's no way their seven new picks can fill every single one of their remaining needs.
So, just like every spring, the open market could have a few options to help with that.
Here are four remaining free agents the Panthers might want to consider following this year's selection process . . .
After all the mock drafts, insider information and dot-connecting, the Panthers and Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq were not a match on Thursday night. In fact, Carolina didn't take a single one of the 22 tight ends who were called up this past weekend.
While the front office may be somewhat comfortable in what they currently have at the position, the offense lacks a true receiving threat in the room. Njoku, who amassed more yards than any Panthers tight end in 2025 despite playing only 12 games, is still out there.
Smith would also be the top receiver in Carolina's tight end room. Plus, he can provide the yards-after-catch ability general manager Dan Morgan has been looking for.
Per ESPN, 68.4 percent of Smith's career receiving marks have come after the catch.
Even at 35 years old, Wagner proved he can still hang in the middle of an NFL defense. Pro Football Focus graded his run defense at a stellar 90.3 last season, where he was charged with just eight missed tackles.
The six-time first-team All-Pro also has ties to Morgan and head coach Dave Canales back from Seattle. They may, with Trevin Wallace as the projected starter next to Pro Bowler Devin Lloyd, want to see if they still have Wagner's number.
Carolina selected Texas A&M's Will Lee III in the fourth round on Saturday. But Lee, who played the vast majority of his snaps in college on the outside, probably won't be the fix the defense needs at the slot cornerback role.
Even though Hilton didn't get much burn in 2025, the Panthers need some competition on the inside for 2024 fifth-round pick Chau Smith-Wade.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: NFL free agency: 4 players the Panthers should consider post-draft
Continue reading...
So, just like every spring, the open market could have a few options to help with that.
Here are four remaining free agents the Panthers might want to consider following this year's selection process . . .
TE David Njoku
After all the mock drafts, insider information and dot-connecting, the Panthers and Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq were not a match on Thursday night. In fact, Carolina didn't take a single one of the 22 tight ends who were called up this past weekend.
While the front office may be somewhat comfortable in what they currently have at the position, the offense lacks a true receiving threat in the room. Njoku, who amassed more yards than any Panthers tight end in 2025 despite playing only 12 games, is still out there.
TE Jonnu Smith
Smith would also be the top receiver in Carolina's tight end room. Plus, he can provide the yards-after-catch ability general manager Dan Morgan has been looking for.
Per ESPN, 68.4 percent of Smith's career receiving marks have come after the catch.
LB Bobby Wagner
Even at 35 years old, Wagner proved he can still hang in the middle of an NFL defense. Pro Football Focus graded his run defense at a stellar 90.3 last season, where he was charged with just eight missed tackles.
The six-time first-team All-Pro also has ties to Morgan and head coach Dave Canales back from Seattle. They may, with Trevin Wallace as the projected starter next to Pro Bowler Devin Lloyd, want to see if they still have Wagner's number.
CB Mike Hilton
Carolina selected Texas A&M's Will Lee III in the fourth round on Saturday. But Lee, who played the vast majority of his snaps in college on the outside, probably won't be the fix the defense needs at the slot cornerback role.
Even though Hilton didn't get much burn in 2025, the Panthers need some competition on the inside for 2024 fifth-round pick Chau Smith-Wade.
Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: NFL free agency: 4 players the Panthers should consider post-draft
Continue reading...
