aryl Williams Stitched Julius Peppers Jersey , it’s not a good idea." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesHorizontal - WhiteCat Scratch Readera Carolina Panthers communityLog In or Sign UpLog InSign UpFanpostsFanshotsSectionsAboutPanthersOddsShopStubHubMoreAll 322 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Keep Sounding PodcastPanthers 2019 NFL DraftCSR Film RoomFiled under:Carolina Panthers free agency 2019The Panthers shouldn’t franchise tag Daryl WilliamsNew,59commentsThey aren’t expected to, either.ESTShareTweetShareShareThe Panthers shouldn’t franchise tag Daryl WilliamsPhoto by Streeter Lecka/Getty ImagesThe Carolina Panthers are not expected to use the franchise tag on any of their 2019 free agents and that’s a good thing. Their large class of out-going free agents consists mainly of role players and depth. They only have three free agents who could conceivably draw attention from other teams (excluding the Buffalo Bills and New York Giants). If they were to use the tag, the deadline is today.Daryl Williams, Devin Funchess, and Thomas Davis are the only noteworthy players with expiring contracts who, at present, do not intend to retire when the league year opens at 4 P.M. on March 13th. The team has already announced that it does not intend to bring back Thomas Davis, despite his wishes, and is therefore obviously not an athlete they would consider tagging. Similarly, the team has made no attempt to re-sign wide receiver Devin Funchess. A breakout year by rookie D.J. Moore combined with a lackluster season by Funchess has left both sides looking elsewhere in 2019.The only real candidate for the franchise tag this year would be Williams. He is a former All-Pro player at a position of real need for the Panthers. The only problem is that All-Pro players don’t come cheaply and neither do franchise tags. The tag number for offensive linemen last season was about $14 million. The Panthers currently have $17 million in cap space and a list of holes long enough to preclude blowing their whole budget on one player.A long term deal could be creatively structured towards a reasonable cap figure for this year. Unfortunately for the Panthers, there are plenty of teams in the league with loads of cap space and gaping needs on their offensive lines. Williams doesn’t need to sign a creative contract with the Panthers when the Colts can give him more money overall and more money sooner.With the market working against them Youth Da’Norris Searcy Jersey , the Panthers’ only hope of signing Williams is to tag him and sign him to an extension. There is no requirement for Williams to sign that extension and it is becoming increasingly more common for players to hold out in protest of the tag being used this way. They, understandably, want to test their value on the open market. The other risk is that Williams could sign and play underthe tag number but refuse to negotiate an extension, thus burdening the Panthers with an untenable contract that prevents them from fielding a competitive team next season.The likeliest way that Williams does remain a Panther is if he tests the market in free agency and finds teams wary of his recent knee injury (torn MCL, dislocated patella in his right knee). That eventuality could see him return to the team on a short term, likely one year, prove-it deal to demonstrate his health. I consider this to be an unlikely scenario as teams like the Indianapolis Colts, with over $100 million in cap space, can afford to bet on his health.As much as it sucks to watch home-grown talent at a position of dire need walk out the door with the only recompense a future, largely worthless compensatory draft pick, it remains the correct course for the Carolina Panthers. They simply do not have sufficient resources to have options when it comes to Williams’ future. The final Thursday night game of the season couldn’t be much more forgettable.Denver and Indianapolis are hard enough to watch with a full week to prepare. On short notice: UGH!The Broncos (4-9) have been one of the league’s major disappointments, and they broke an eight-game skid last Sunday by manhandling the undermanned Jets. Indianapolis (3-10) has dropped four straight and seven of eight.Enough said.Denver Blue James Bradberry Jersey , ranked 25th in the AP Pro32, is a 1-point favorite at Lucas Oil Stadium. At least the Colts (No. 30 in AP Pro32) won’t have to freeze in a blizzard as they lose this one.BRONCOS, 13-10KNOCKOUT LEAGUE TIPOf all the choices Pro Picks has ever made for this category, none has been worse than taking Cincinnati over Chicago last Sunday. Thanks for not showing up, Bengals.Regardless, we march on with NEW ORLEANS.No. 15 Green Bay (plus 2) at No. 7 CarolinaAfter barely escaping Cleveland, not buying Packers, not even with A-Rod.BEST BET: PANTHERS, 26-20No. 5 Los Angeles Rams (plus 2 1-2) at No. 10 SeattleSeahawks are too darn undisciplined as well as injured.UPSET SPECIAL: RAMS, 31-21No. 3 New England (minus 2 1-2) at No. 1 PittsburghNot quite Game of the Millennium anymore, but still a good one.PATRIOTS, 33-27No. 11 Los Angeles Chargers (plus 1 1-2) at No. 14 Kansas City James Bradberry Jersey 2019 , SaturdayAnother huge matchup in the playoff race. Bolts are charging, but …CHIEFS: 21-20No. 16 Dallas (plus 1) at No. 20 OaklandThe other AFC West contender is getting desperate.RAIDERS, 24-21No. 2 Philadelphia (minus 7 1-2) at No. 31 New York GiantsFoles won’t fail the Eagles, at least not this week.EAGLES, 20-10No. 23 (tie) Cincinnati (plus 10) at No. 4 MinnesotaWill Bungles, uh, Bengals show up this time? Have our doubts.VIKINGS, 27-16No. 9 Atlanta (minus 3 1-2) at No. 29 Tampa BayThis is simple: Falcons are better team by more than this spread.FALCONS, 27-17No. 26 (tie) Houston (plus 9 1-2) at No. 8 JacksonvilleA win and Jaguars are in playoffs. Say what?JAGUARS, 26-10No. 23 (tie) New York Jets (plus 16) at No. 6 New OrleansHow, exactly, are the Jets going to score? Maybe on defense Stitched Da’Norris Searcy Jersey , but …SAINTS 30-6No. 21 Arizona (plus 6) at No. 22 WashingtonTwo teams destroyed by injuries this season.CARDINALS, 22-17No. 12 Baltimore (minus 7) at No. 32 ClevelandSeems a matter of time before Browns win one. Actually, no.RAVENS, 17-13No. 13 Tennessee (plus 2 1-2) at No. 26 (tie) San FranciscoTitans could short-circuit playoff chances by flopping here.TITANS, 20-16No. 28 Chicago (plus 5 1-2) at No. 17 Detroit, Saturday“The Last Jedi” opens this week. Good time to go see it.LIONS, 16-13No. 19 Miami (OFF) at No. 18 BuffaloForget last week, Dolphins don’t like Western New York.BILLS, 17-15——2017 RECORD:Last week: Against spread (6-8-2). Straight up (8-8)Season Totals: Against spread (96-96-8). Straight up: (128-78)Best Bet: 8-6 against spread, 9-5 straight up.Upset special: 8-6 against spread, 8-6 straight up