Wrapping up my look at the top 10 unrestricted free agents for the Carolina Panthers is a player that participated in only one game last season.
You guessed it.
Next up: No. 1, DE Greg Hardy
Reason to re-sign: He is one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL, leading Carolina in sacks with 15 in 2013. He can play end, tackle and drop into coverage. Few are effectively more versatile. He’s just coming into his prime at 26. I’m told in the meeting rooms and in the locker room he’s as focused as almost any other player on the team. He’s popular among teammates.
Reason not to re-sign: The reason he played only one game last season was his May 13 arrest on domestic violence charges that ultimately led to him being placed on the commissioner’s exempt list in mid-September. Although the charges were dropped on Feb. 9 because accuser Nicole Holder refused to cooperate with the district attorney’s office after reaching a financial settlement with Hardy, he still could face suspension from the NFL for violating the personal conduct policy. He initially was found guilty by a Mecklenburg County judge, a verdict that was set aside when he asked for a jury trial. Even at a discounted salary, he’s still going to demand a large chunk of Carolina’s salary-cap room. The Panthers were a top-10 defense in 2014 without Hardy, led by young players who don’t have a high cap number.
Prediction: It comes down to risk versus reward. The Panthers simply aren’t willing to take a risk on a player that caused them great embarrassment in 2014 and cost them $13.1 million.
