CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A look at where the Carolina Panthers are heading into the second week of free agency, when general manager Dave Gettleman typically begins making moves:
Shopping for a defensive tackle
Former Atlanta Falcons tackle Paul Soliai, 32, was in Charlotte for a visit this past weekend. According to a league source, he left town without a contract.
The Panthers also are interested in 29-year-old Green Bay tackle B.J. Raji, according to a league source.
Carolina is set with Star Lotulelei and Pro Bowler Kawann Short. But they use a four-man rotation, and veteran backups Dwan Edwards and Kyle Love no longer are under contact. Edwards was released and Love is a free agent. The team has had discussions with Love, but hasn’t been able to reach an agreement.
The Packers wanted to keep Raji and tackle Letroy Guion as they did last year, but were unable to get a deal done with both. Guion signed a three-year, $11.75 million deal last month.
Raji and Soliai primarily are run stoppers. Raji has only half a sack (2015) since he had three in 2011. Soliai has only 5.5 career sacks.
Look for the Panthers to add a veteran defensive tackle in free agency and add another in the draft. Don’t rule out a tackle with the 30th pick of the draft.
Gino Gradkowski contract details
The three-year deal the backup center/guard signed last week is worth $3,150,000 with a $450,000 signing bonus, according to ESPN’s Roster Management. He will count $925,000 against the 2016 salary cap and $1,050,000 against the 2017 cap.
Joe Webb contract details
The two-year deal the backup quarterback/wide receiver/special-teams player signed last week is worth $1,860,000 with a $200,000 signing bonus, according to Roster Management. He will count $860,000 against the 2016 cap and $1 million against the 2017 cap.
Salary-cap space
The Panthers have about $20 million in cap space, so there’s plenty of room for Gettleman to upgrade the roster. Look for him to use some of that to add depth at defensive tackle, offensive line and the secondary.