General manager Dan Morgan promised bold moves to improve the defense when free agency opened up, and he delivered accordingly. The Carolina Panthers got the NFL's attention, but there is more hard work ahead before on-field preparations for the new campaign begin.
The Panthers have some extra flexibility the rest of the way. They have seven draft picks, but there isn't much money available right now. That could change through releases and restructures, which Morgan will no doubt consider as he moves Carolina into the next stage of his grand plans for contention.
And one NFL analyst believes there could be room for the Panthers to make a blockbuster trade to speed up their dreams of contending.