It's that time of the year when teams can get a great deal on an NFL veteran.
The bargain bin got another price break Thursday with the lifting of, let's call it — the UFA tax. The May 12 threshold means teams can now sign unrestricted free agents without those additions hurting them when it comes time to flush out compensatory draft picks.
That's important to the Carolina Panthers in a couple of ways.
The comp pick formula is ridiculously complicated, but as a general starting point for eligibility, a team has to lose more or better qualifying free agents than it gains.
This past year, the Panthers didn't get anything back from Greg Hardy's time in Dallas because they essentially broke even last spring.
This offseason has been different:
CB Brandon Boykin
C/G Gino Gradkowski
CB Josh Norman (Redskins)
P Brad Nortman (Jaguars)
C Fernando Velasco (Bills)
There's still a long way to go to determine the quantity and quality of next year's comp picks, but the Panthers are set up nicely.
If Norman plays at least 10 games with Washington, there's a good chance his loss could net an extra pick at the end of the third round. And depending on how Nortman and Velasco play in their new homes, the Panthers may bring multiple extra picks into next year's draft.
As of Thursday morning, the Panthers have five open roster spots. At least a couple of those will likely be filled after 35 or so tryout guys get a look at this weekend's rookie minicamp. But now that unemployed UFAs are tax free, it opens up a wider selection of veteran help.
Despite using three straight draft picks on cornerbacks, the Panthers may want to go secondary shopping. The coaching staff likes to have strong veteran leadership at each position, and right now, 27-year-olds Robert McClain and Teddy Williams are the cornerbacks' elder statesmen.
As you'd expect, pickings are slim, but available unrestricted options include former Colts and Cardinals corner Jerraud Powers, former Bengal Leon Hall and Rock Hill, SC native Phillip Adams.