The Carolina Panthers will have just two defensive ends on the active roster when the league year begins in March—Mario Addison and Marquis Haynes—so it’s no secret that they must find players to fill out the depth chart before training camp begins this summer. As we’ve discussed several times already Blue Greg Olsen Jersey , there are two ways to accomplish this: Free agency and the NFL Draft.Just like last week, Dan Kadar from Mocking the Draft has given the Panthers a pass rusher in his latest mock draft. Last week he mocked former Florida Gators defensive end Jachai Polite to the Panthers, but this week it’s former Michigan Wolverine Rashan Gary who ends up in Carolina.My main concern with this pick for the Panthers is that I’m not sure that Gary will fall all the way to No. 16. I think he will be a good player in the NFL, and I think he’s definitely worth a first rounder, but I’m not sure he lasts until it’s Carolina’s turn to pick. WalterFootball lists Gary as the No. 2 defensive end in this year’s class after Nick Bosa, and believes that he could play defensive end in either a 4-3 or a 3-4 defense.If WalterFootball’s analysis is correct, Gary’s versatility could make him an attractive option for the Panthers. But at the same time, if Gary is that versatile how would he fall all the way down to No. 16 overall? If he truly is the second best defensive end in this year’s draft class (a notion that I disagree with, mind you) I don’t see many scenarios where he is even available for the Panthers to draft without trading up to get him. At that point, I’d rather just pick the best player on the board at No. 16. I don’t think the Panthers can afford to trade away draft picks to move up in this year’s draft—there are simply too many holes in the roster to do that.What do you think, Panthers fans? Would you be okay with drafting Gary in the first round? Let’s hear what you have to say! As the NFL free agency period starts, a crowded safety group means there will be a lot of possible solutions to the Carolina Panthers’ questions."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Keep Sounding PodcastPanthers 2019 NFL DraftCSR Film RoomCarolina Panthers free agency 2019The free agent market is loaded at safety this offseasonNew Kawann Short Jersey 2019 ,106commentsAs the NFL free agency period starts, a crowded safety group means there will be a lot of possible solutions to the Carolina Panthers’ questions.ESTShareTweetShareShareThe free agent market is loaded at safety this offseasonKirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsThe Panthers re-signed Eric Reid in the offseason to a contract averaging $7 million per year, addressing their strong safety need before free agency and the draft. However, with Mike Adams and Colin Jones departing, only Rashaan Gaulden and Da’Norris Searcy remain to start opposite him. It is somewhat likely that the team feels these guys could be feasible in 2019, however the 2018 season showed that Carolina’s approach to the safety position doesn’t work so well without elite front seven play. Addressing that and completely turning it around could be a major challenge to do in one offseason, so addressing the free safety position would make a lot of sense. Let’s break down the free agency class to see what’s realistic, and what isn’t.The pipe dreamsEarl Thomas: Despite coming off a season ending injury in 2018, Earl Thomas is still widely considered one of the best free safeties in the NFL. He’s a game changer, and on the open market he should warrant a mostly guaranteed one-two year deal that will still pay him up in the top as far as annual salary goes. The Panthers can’t afford this unless Marty Hurney can get really creative.Landon Collins: Collins is coming off a year where he was at worst in the conversation for defensive player of the year. Collins is going to reset the safety market, and Carolina doesn’t have the money.Lamarcus Joyner: After coming off the franchise tag as a versatile defensive back for the Super Bowl runner-up Los Angeles Rams, Joyner is looking to get paid this offseason. A player like him who can play both safety positions and have value in the slot is going to get paid on the open market by a team with bonkers cap space.The short term guysEric Weddle: Weddle was cut by the Baltimore Ravens following a good 2018 season. Weddle is 34 Blue Kawann Short Jersey , and likely looking for his last NFL contract. Due to his familiarity with Ron Rivera, he could be an excellent fit in Carolina’s supposedly multi-front system in 2019. The issue would be how much he thinks he’s worth after being cut from a $7.5 million deal in the 2018 season.Glover Quin: At 33, Quin hits the market as another veteran likely on his last contract in the NFL. Quin has experience as a free safety, therefore a team like Carolina should be interested in him. The wear and tear certainly is there, but the Panthers have made it work in the past with primarily strong safety type players at both positions. With a sub $5 million cap hit in 2018, his services could be had for around the same price... hopefully?George Iloka: Iloka is coming off an $880k contract with the Vikings, however he barely played in 2018. He likely enters free agency looking for a prove it deal to show he’s still got some mileage left. He’s more of a question mark than most who would be looking for a short term deal, but Carolina may be willing to pull the trigger to let him fight it out with Da’Norris Searcy and Rashaan Gaulden for playing time.Tre Boston: Boston again took a one year prove it deal in 2018 with the Cardinals, and didn’t really prove he deserves upper tier safety money. With a crowded safety market, he could be looking for another prove it deal with potentially more incentives. Could a return to Charlotte be in the cards?The surprisesAs much as I’ve personally advocated for Carolina to address the safety position, I’m not sure if they will sink significant capital into the opposite starter with some of the other names on the market. Adrian Amos, Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix Color Rush Christian Miller Jersey , Tyrann Matthieu, and Adrian Phillips likely will receive higher offers that will look inflated compared to average safety contracts out there. That is the nature of free agency. However, there’s a chance Carolina structures a contract in the way they did for Bashaud Breeland in 2018 (before he failed his physical) which gives them significant cap flexibility over the span of the deal. I wouldn’t bet money on it myself, but addressing the safety position long term at least gives them the ability to really go after the front seven in the draft.My pickI think the Panthers will sign Eric Weddle. Ron Rivera knows how to use him, and as I’ve said he has experience in 3-4 and 4-3 defenses. Weddle can play both safety positions, and would be a fine addition opposite Eric Reid. The Panthers don’t really use a traditional strong and free safety, as their assignments generally change throughout the game. However, with Weddle’s flexibility and experience he could be an excellent short term answer while the Panthers sift through the draft for a better one in the long term.Weddle showed he is still one of the better safeties in the NFL, and it would give Carolina time to develop Gaulden if they truly believe he is going to be a safety. The signing makes sense, though they’d have to make some cap moves to make it happen.stares at Torrey SmithWho would you like to see the Panthers sign, Panthers fans?