How Can the Carolina Panthers Replace DE Greg Hardy?

Greg Hardy will likely never play another down as a member of the Carolina Panthers. The ramifications of such a statement will prove to be extremely problematic for the organization over the long haul. 

It's just another area the franchise will have to address during the offseason with a roster already rife with holes at multiple key areas. 

Hardy was placed on the exempt/commissioner's permission list Sept. 17 as he awaited a trial jury after being found guilty in July by a presiding judge of assaulting his girlfriend and threatening to kill her. 

The Mecklenburg County [North Carolina] District Attorney’s Office announced Tuesday that Hardy's upcoming appeal, which was originally slated to take place Nov. 17, won't be heard until next year. 

“The District Attorney’s Office must now adjust the dockets in several courtrooms, affecting multiple cases that had been scheduled for the coming weeks," the statement read, via the Charlotte Observer. "These changes will affect the Domestic Violence Team’s cases scheduled for the week of Nov. 17. A number of matters must be continued.”

Now that Hardy will remain on the exempt list for the rest of this season, the Panthers aren't expected re-sign him after this season. 

"The delay in the case means Hardy is not expected to play in the NFL again this season. His Panthers career is likely over as well," multiple team sources told the Charlotte Observer's Joe Person and Jonathan Jones. 

Prior to the season, the Panthers believed in Hardy enough to use the franchise tag on him and sign him to a one-year, $13.1 million contract. While Hardy continues to get paid during his absence, the Panthers haven't found a way to replace the fearsome edge-rusher. 

The short answer is the Panthers can't adequately replace Hardy. Pass-rushers of his caliber don't exactly grow on trees. Hardy led the team last year with 15 sacks and received the highest grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) on a defense that featured linebacker Luke Kuechly, who was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2013.

None of the defensive ends currently on the roster have played well enough to make the team forget about Hardy. 

Players	Overall	Run Defense	Pass Defense
Charles Johnson	-7.8	-6.8	3.2
Wes Horton	-7.6	0.0	-4.9
Mario Addison	-2.4	0.9	-1.2
Kony Ealy	-10.3	-4.7	-3.9

Veteran Charles Johnson leads the way. Johnson should be the group's most consistent performer after signing a six-year, $76 million contract three years ago. The defensive end's cap hit is $11.22 million this season. He should be the one producing and filling the void left by Hardy. 

However, Johnson got off to a slow start this season before making a public decree on Twitter that he would improve: 

In the six games that followed Johnson's declaration, the seventh-year defender produced three sacks and 13 quarterback hurries. 

Johnson's biggest issue isn't getting pressure on the quarterback. He leads the team in quarterback hits and hurries. As Pro Football Focus' grades show, Johnson's weakness is stopping the run. His performance is hurt due to the Panthers' inability to get any consistent production from the other side of the defensive line. It's easy to slide offensive line protections toward Johnson's side knowing he is the team's primary pass-rushing threat. 

There is also an issue with Johnson's contract after this season. In 2015, the defensive end's cap hit will exceed $20 million. The Panthers may have to renegotiate with Johnson or possibly release the defensive end to save over $6 million. 

Meanwhile, it's taken two players to fill in for Hardy at right defensive end. The combination of Mario Addison and Wes Horton produced at times, but they've also struggled in certain areas.

Addison leads the team with five sacks as a part-time edge-rusher, but that statistic is skewed after posting four sacks Sept. 14 against the Detroit Lions. A week later, Addison added his fifth sack. He hasn't registered one since. 

Horton is technically the Panthers' starter at right defensive end, but he's strictly a run defender. As a role player, Horton is better served coming off the bench than being forced into a starting role. 

Finally, the rookie, Kony Ealy, has been overwhelmed at points this season and simply hasn't looked ready to play or contribute at a high level. Despite being a second-round pick in this year's draft, Ealy's overall talent hasn't been apparent. The first-year defensive end graded negatively in all but one game this season. 

While the Panthers should expect improvement from Ealy during his second season, the team can't rely on that as its only solution at defensive end. Free agency and next year's NFL draft will likely be where the Panthers attempt to find a new pass-rusher. 

There will be only one defensive end possibly available during free agency who can make the same type of impact Hardy previously did. Jason Pierre-Paul's availability will depend on how the New York Giants approach the upcoming free-agency period, though. 

The Panthers are approximately $8 million under next year's salary cap based on the current numbers, according to OverTheCap.com. That number will vary depending next year's salary cap, which could potentially increase, plus the organization's decision on quarterback Cam Newton as he enters the last year of his contract. 

Besides, Pierre-Paul will almost certainly demand more than that on the open market. Two more realistic options are Cliff Avril and Jabaal Sheard.

Harry How/Getty Images

Avril, in particular, is an interesting option due to his previous production and a potential willingness to move for the right price. The sixth-year defensive end didn't receive the offers he expected two years ago when he hit the open market. He eventually signed a two-year, $13 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks. While Avril's production is down this year, he racked up 28.5 sacks the previous three seasons. Plus, he's currently second on the team with 24 quarterback hurries, according to Pro Football Focus. 

Sheard, on the other hand, is three years younger and may be entering free agency for the first time. The 25-year old pass-rusher led the Cleveland Browns in sacks during his first three seasons as a professional. Sheard's overall production dropped each year, though. But he was forced to transition from defensive end to outside linebacker before the 2013 campaign. He's played well, but a return to being a down lineman could be a strong selling point for Sheard. 

Once the draft arrives, defensive end will no longer be the Panthers' primary concern. The team's draft board will dictate what position is selected. Left tackle, wide receiver, cornerback and strong-side linebacker are each major concerns that need to be addressed in some form. 

Early indications show plenty of pass-rushing potential in the 2015 draft class. 

Nebraska's Randy Gregory is the cream of the crop. The junior defensive end is most likely a top-five pick and the potential No. 1 overall selection. He would seem to be out of Carolina's range since the Panthers currently own the 11th overall pick at the midseason point. 

Jamie Squire/Getty Images

There are plenty of other options. Bleacher Report's NFL draft lead writer, Matt Miller, placed nine defensive ends listed among the latest rendition of his top 50 prospects. 

While Gregory may not be available, Missouri's Shane Ray is ranked 12th by Miller and a potential match for the Panthers. If the team decides to wait until the second round for the second straight year, the nation's leading sack artist over the past two years, Washington's Hau'oli Kikaha, could be available. 

As one of the four bedrock positions in football (along with quarterback, left tackle and cornerback), the need to add a major piece at defensive end should be one of the franchise's utmost priorities once the season ends. 

After the team placed its confidence in Hardy, he let it down. The Panthers will move on from Hardy even though it's unlikely they can truly replace the defensive end.

All salary information obtained from Spotrac.com.

Brent Sobleski covers the NFC South for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.