NFL Free Agency: 3 Free Agents the Carolina Panthers Must Pursue for Cam Newton

When a player is the first-overall pick in the NFL Draft, they are going to get a lot of attention. So far the Carolina Panthers have made this whole offseason about Cam Newton.

Starting with the undrafted free agents, the Panthers added Newton’s center, left tackle and go-to receiver from Auburn. Then in free agency, the Panthers have added Pro Bowl-caliber tight end, Greg Olsen, re-signed DeAngelo Williams to keep Double Trouble together and received word that Steve Smith will return to Carolina.

With all the moves Carolina has made, they cannot possibly need to make any more, right? Wrong. The Panthers still have some moves that can be made to give Newton, or even Jimmy Clausen, the best chance to win.

3. Malcom Floyd

I understand this guy has been on every one of my lists, but there is a god reason. He is 6’5”, a deep threat, has good hands and is in his prime. So he wants $5 million per year. Does that mean he can't be an impact player? No.

This has been the possibly the deepest wide receiver class ever in free agency. Carolina has signed zero receivers. I understand they have some young guns, but why not push them more with the addition of Floyd?

Reports on Newton show he sometimes will go high with his passes. If he overthrows someone Floyd’s height and jumping ability, then he should not be quarterback.

The Panthers seem content with what they have, but Floyd would definitely not hurt Carolina.

2. Marc Bulger

It has been a common thought that Carolina would bring in a veteran to help mentor their stable of young quarterbacks. Interviews with Ron Rivera have even mentioned the Panthers will sign a veteran. It is just a matter of when.

In case they needed an obvious suggestion, I would like to suggest Marc Bulger. Almost every team that was looking for a quarterback this offseason got one—except Carolina and Cincinnati.

The Bengals also have a young quarterback in need of mentoring. The question for Bulger becomes: Where do I have the best chance of starting? With the way Clausen played last year and the mountains of learning needed for Newton, I would say Carolina is the best place.

Bulger would have the chance to compete, but he would also be a teacher. He can help the young guys get the most out of film sessions. He can teach them how to read defenses and how to adapt during the game.

He would come cheap, but the knowledge Bulger could impart would be invaluable.

1. Any Cornerback

It is obvious why the addition of an offensive player would help Newton, but what might be the biggest help would be an addition to the defense.

Scoring points is great, but the need to not score a lot of points because the defense is so dominant is a greater help to Newton. They have added a veteran defensive tackle and built an unstoppable linebacker corps, but as of now the Panthers have two “reliable” corners.

With the “loss” of Richard Marshall, Carolina’s best corner is Chris Gamble. Gamble was benched last season for a multitude of reasons, one being he had zero interceptions and could not cover anyone.

The other corner is Captain Munnerlyn. He has heart, skill and technique. Unfortunately, Captain is a foot shorter than the guy the Captain poem was made for. He looks like he could be cast in the upcoming Smurfs movie along with Kendric Burney.

When the defensive minds are put together, I expect Gamble to return to the form that earned him a new contract. Captain makes a great nickel corner against the speedier slot receivers. What Carolina lacks is a No. 2 corner.

The massive problem with this is that every corner between here and Timbuktu has been signed. The exception is Carlos Rogers, but he's the guy who dropped the stick’em that was put on his hands.

All the popular, semi-popular and “maybe I have heard of him” players have been taken. I wait to see who Carolina decides to put at the position, but as of now this is priority No.1. A former position of strength could be the glaring weakness of the defense.