The Carolina Panthers just got bounced from the NFL Playoffs, and are now tasked with tearing apart their roster. They must make some tough decisions in this disaster draft to keep the effective part of their roster together. For the 2018 disaster draft, they just pick and choose the effective individual players that work rather than trying to keep entire units together (like the Bills did). They have the talent to do so, but some players did not make the cut due to their oncoming edge and impending 2019 free agency.
Free Agents Lost: Julius Peppers, Kaelin Clay, Star Loutulelei, Jairus Byrd
The No Doubters:
| PLAYER | POS. | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
| Cam Newton | QB | $21,500,000 | $23,200,000 | $21,100,000 | UFA | – |
| Kawann Short | DT | $17,000,000 | $17,000,000 | $18,000,000 | $18,500,000 | UFA |
| Luke Kuechly | ILB | $13,100,059 | $15,400,059 | $11,900,059 | $11,095,059 | UFA |
| Greg Olsen | TE | $9,750,000 | UFA | – | – | – |
| Trai Turner | G | $7,703,000 | $8,797,000 | $12,000,000 | $14,500,000 | UFA |
| Christian McCaffrey | RB | $3,918,477 | $4,702,172 | $5,485,872 | – | UFA |
| Mario Addison | DE | $8,916,666 | $9,166,668 | UFA | – | – |
| Curtis Samuel | WR | $1,466,746 | $1,760,095 | $2,053,445 | UFA | – |
| Vernon Butler | DT | $2,289,958 | $2,671,618 | – | UFA | – |
Cam Newton belongs in a category above no doubters, as do Kawann Short and Luke Kuechly. Kuechly’s insane injury history almost tabbed him as a “more than likely” but the best ILB in the league deserves more respect than that. Greg Olsen might be around for one last ride, or he might play for 75 more years, it’s hard to tell at this point. Trai Turner is Carolina’s best offensive lineman and just signed a big extension. Christian McCaffrey will be something… eventually. I mean hey, technically being a souped up Danny Woodhead is something. Curtis Samuel stays for his upside and draft capital that they just spent, and Addison & Butler keep the stout defensive front alive.
The More-Than-Likely Staying:
| PLAYER | POS. | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
| Thomas Davis | OLB | $9,953,125 | UFA | – | – | – |
| Matt Kalil | LT | $6,900,000 | $12,900,000 | $15,900,000 | $16,400,000 | UFA |
| Kurt Coleman | FS | $5,250,000 | $5,525,000 | UFA | – | – |
| Jonathan Stewart | RB | $5,212,500 | UFA | – | – | – |
| Charles Johnson | DE | $3,187,500 | UFA | – | – | – |
| Shaq Thompson | OLB | $2,802,776 | – | UFA | – | – |
| Daryl Worley | CB | $865,921 | $950,921 | UFA | – | – |
Old Man Davis isn’t getting disrespected by dropping him into the draft. He’s got one more year and sentimentality grips the Panthers in this decision. Matt Kalil is the best Kalil on the Panthers roster, but only because Ryan sucks garbage. The rest of the guys on this list are solid to above-average starters, which seemingly describes half the Panthers roster. Shaq Thompson was #16, and he almost did not make this list.
The Leftovers:
Here’s the church, here’s the steeple, open the doors and see the players available to the Conquistadors and Arches in the 2018 disaster draft.
| PLAYER | POS. | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 |
| Ryan Kalil | C | $9,654,000 | UFA | – | – | – |
| Captain Munnerlyn | CB | $4,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $5,500,000 | UFA | – |
| Russell Shepard | WR | $3,525,000 | $4,100,000 | UFA | – | – |
| Mike Adams | SS | $2,425,000 | UFA | – | – | – |
| Devin Funchess | WR | $1,756,649 | UFA | – | – | – |
| Kyle Love | DT | $1,200,000 | UFA | – | – | – |
| Wes Horton | DE | $1,200,000 | UFA | – | – | – |
| Colin Jones | SS | $1,150,000 | UFA | – | – | – |
| Fozzy Whittaker | RB | $1,150,000 | UFA | – | – | – |
| James Bradberry | CB | $1,080,228 | $1,260,266 | UFA | – | – |
| J.J. Jansen | LS | $1,055,000 | $1,170,000 | $1,185,000 | UFA | – |
| Taylor Moton | T | $945,035 | $1,134,042 | $1,323,049 | UFA | – |
| Ben Jacobs | ILB | $890,000 | UFA | – | – | – |
| Daryl Williams | RT | $844,280 | UFA | – | – | – |
| Daeshon Hall | DE | $815,438 | $910,438 | $1,010,438 | UFA | – |
| Cameron Artis-Payne | RB | $746,565 | UFA | – | – | – |
| David Mayo | OLB | $746,565 | UFA | – | – | – |
| Zach Moore | DE | $705,000 | UFA | – | – | – |
| Jared Norris | OLB | $636,668 | RFA | – | – | – |
| Lorenzo Doss | CB | $630,000 | $720,000 | – | – | – |
| Kevon Seymour | CB | $630,000 | $720,000 | UFA | – | – |
| John Theus | T | $630,000 | $720,000 | UFA | – | – |
| Alex Armah | FB | $555,000 | $645,000 | RFA | – | – |
| Demetrious Cox | S | $555,000 | $645,000 | RFA | – | – |
| Bryan Cox Jr. | DE | $555,000 | ERFA | – | – | – |
| Garrett Gilbert | QB | $555,000 | ERFA | – | – | – |
| Corn Elder | CB | $549,474 | $714,474 | $804,477 | UFA | – |
| Cole Luke | CB | $483,333 | $648,334 | RFA | – | – |
| Fred Ross | WR | $483,333 | $648,334 | RFA | – | – |
Disclaimer goes here: Roster is as of January 8, 2018 and salary figures are from Spotrac.com
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