Safety Struggles

The Carolina Panthers will enter the season in need of a "centerfield" type safety. After spending big and getting it right on Tre'Von Moehrig last year, and drafting Lathan Ransom in the fourth round, the Panthers appear to have some pieces in place. However, they still need a player who can run sideline to sideline. Moehrig is excellent against the run, and Ransom appears to be a younger version of that same mold.

The hope was that Demani Richardson would develop into that deep safety role, but he largely flamed out, was cut at the end of the season, and was only brought back as an afterthought. That leaves a real void. What the Panthers need is a high-level ball hawk who can patrol the deep middle and also need better depth at the position.

The problem is cap space. It's not as critical a need as middle linebacker, but it ranks second or third, perhaps just behind an established pass rusher. Spending significant money on a safety may simply not be an option given their limitations. That player won't be found early in the draft either unless it's Caleb Downs, and he's not falling to 19. So look for the Panthers to address it later, somewhere in rounds two through four, or hope a bargain emerges in free agency.