The most memorable comments from Dave Gettleman’s end of season press conference were a glimpse into the Panthers’ free agency budget: “Last year we were shopping in the dollar store. This year we may be able to move up in class a little bit.”When asked if that meant the Panthers could go shopping at a high-end place like Nordstrom, Gettleman warned: “I said we’re going to move up in class. I didn’t say we’re going to go out and spend big money on a player.”Over the next few weeks, we’ll take a look at free agents who will be available* at Carolina’s positions of need, and at which store the Panthers would likely have to go to if they wanted to land them.Part 1 – WRsPart 2 – OTsPart 3 – Edge Rushers:

*Does not include players who could be cut and become potential targets.

**3-4 outside linebacker who likely wouldn’t be an ideal fit in Carolina’s 4-3 defense.

[accordion_item open=”true” title=”NORDSTROM”]Justin Houston** (Chiefs)Jerry Hughes (Bills)Jason Pierre-Paul (Giants)Greg Hardy (Panthers)

• Hughes has racked up double-digit sacks in back-to-back years, but with a huge cap number already committed to Charles Johnson, the Panthers probably won’t spend big money on two ends like they did in 2014 … With that said, general manager Dave Gettleman loves his pass rushers, and a reunion with Pierre-Paul could be intriguing … As long as he’s cleared of all legal charges, Hardy will get his big payday, but it will be elsewhere.

[accordion_item open=”true” title=”TARGET”]Brian Orakpo** (Redskins)Pernell McPhee** (Ravens)Jabaal Sheard (Browns)Jason Worilds** (Steelers)Brandon Graham (Eagles)Derrick Morgan (Titans)Akeem Ayers** (Patriots)

• Orakpo was a 4-3 end in college, but he’s been an OLB with an injury history in the pros … Sheard totaled 15.5 sacks as an end when Cleveland played a 4-3 from 2011-12 … Graham was an OLB in Philadelphia’s 3-4 the last two years, but he wants to move back to a 4-3 end … Morgan had 15 sacks in his first three years as a starter before Tennessee switched to a 3-4 last season.

[accordion_item open=”true” title=”DOLLAR STORE”]Adrian Clayborn (Bucs)John Abraham (Cardinals)George Selvie (Cowboys)George Johnson (Lions)Dwight Freeney (Chargers)Osi Umenyiora (Falcons)

• In his two healthy seasons (2011, 2013), Clayborn totaled 13 sacks. He played just three games in 2012 and one game last year … Abraham had 11.5 sacks in 2013, but he’ll be 37 in May, and he has a long concussion history … Selvie had a cup of coffee with the Panthers in 2011 … Johnson had six sacks in a backup role during 2014 … Freeney hasn’t played in a 4-3 since 2011, and he’ll be 35 in two weeks, but he may have a little left … Umenyiora wasn’t a fit in Atlanta’s 3-4, and like Pierre-Paul, his history with Gettleman is worth remembering.  … you can find more UFA edge rushers here.

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