Carolina Panthers 2016 NFL Draft Reset: A difficult perch near the top

When a team loses a Super Bowl, there is only one way to make an improvement the next season. So, more than any other NFL team in 2016, a Super Bowl victory for the Carolina Panthers is the only measure of success this season.

And, obviously by his reactions after the Super Bowl 50 loss to Denver, Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, the focus of unrelenting and unreasonable barbs last season, is not taking any of this lightly.

The draft doesn't offer a lot of immediate, quality hope because the reward for a Super Bowl loser is a lowly No. 30 pick in the April 28 NFL Draft.

But general manager Dave Gettleman isn't waiting around. He helped get the Panthers almost to the top with tough moves. He released the franchise's all-time leading receiver, Steve Smith, following the 2013 season and its all-time leading rusher, DeAngelo Williams, following the 2014 season.

That helped Carolina build a roster that won 17 of 18 games before that 24-10 Super Bowl loss.

Gettleman was named the NFL Executive of the Year by The Sporting News, and head coach Ron Rivera said that recognition was overdue. Rivera expressed concern that Gettleman's job becomes increasingly difficult as the GM gets closer to players.

But sometimes the players do their part to help.

Defensive end Charles Johnson was initially released by the Panthers for cap reasons.

Johnson started at left end for the NFC champions and was a third-round draft pick in 2007. He turns 30 in July.

"Charles was an impact player for the Carolina Panthers for a long time, both on and off the field," Gettleman said after the move. "His statistics speak for themselves, and as a team captain he led the way you want your leaders to lead -- by example. I wish him the best moving forward."

A few days later, Johnson turned down more money from the Giants to re-sign for one year with the Panthers.

Gettleman also franchised disruptive cornerback Josh Norman, who was tendered at $13.952 million.

Improvement is not easy for a team that nearly went undefeated, then made it so close to the very top.

Here is a closer look at where the Panthers are, how they got here and what to look for next.

First pick in 2016 draft: No. 30 overall.

2015 finish: First, NFC South

Record: 15-1; 2-1 in playoffs, lost Super Bowl

Total offense: 366.9 (11th)

Rushing: 142.6 (2nd)

Passing: 224.3 (24th)

Total defense: 322.9 (6th)

Rushing: 88.4 (4th)

Passing: 234.5 (11th)

Team needs

1. Defensive end: Jared Allen retired, but the Panthers saved about $8 million toward the cap by releasing and then re-signing Charles Johnson. Kony Ealy had a monster Super Bowl, but the only other ends with game experience on the roster are Mario Addison, Wes Horton and Ryan Delaire.

2. Cornerback: Even with Josh Norman getting the franchise tag, the Panthers are razor thin at corner. Slot man Bene' Benwikere will be coming off a broken leg, and Robert McClain and Teddy Williams are the only corners under contract in 2016 with game experience.

3. Tackle: Left tackle Michael Oher and right tackle Mike Remmers held up OK, but they were liabilities in the Super Bowl. The Panthers like 2015 fourth-round pick Daryl Williams, but they need another young guy to groom.

Personnel update (as of March 22)

Franchise player: CB Josh Norman (tendered at $13.952M).

Transition player: None.

Unrestricted free agents:

• WR Jerricho Cotchery had the final three years on his five-year contract voided, and the Panthers won't try to re-sign him. He may have played his final NFL game.
• CB Cortland Finnegan may hang them up permanently after coming out of semi-retirement to finish the season with the Panthers.
• G Tyronne Green hasn't appeared in an NFL game since 2012 and is coming off a torn Achilles he suffered in June.
• S Roman Harper has some tread left on his tires. Because of his role as a mentor in the defensive backfield, it wouldn't be surprising if the Panthers kept Harper around another year.
• DT Kyle Love was a decent part of the rotation last season after the Panthers were the only team to give him a shot near the end of 2014.
• OL Amini Silatolu has missed too many games to injury. It may be time to cut ties with the former second-round pick.
• CB Charles Tillman is probably headed for retirement. It's hard to see the Panthers or anyone else giving him a 14th season, especially since his ACL won't be ready until later in 2016.
• C Fernando Velasco has been a fine spot starter and solid inside the locker room. That still may not be enough to bring him back.

Unrestricted free agents (not tendered offers):

• DE Frank Alexander (not tendered as RFA) won't be back. He'll be coming off a torn Achilles, plus he's serving his third suspension, which won't end until late next season.

Restricted free agents:

• T Mike Remmers (tendered at $2.553M with second-round pick as compensation) had a Super Bowl to forget, but he'll likely head into the summer with one foot still on the starting right-tackle job.

Exclusive-rights free agents:

• LB Ben Jacobs will have to fight for a roster spot again if he returns.

Players re-signed:

• WR Stephen Hill: Potential RFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
• LS J.J. Jansen: Potential UFA; $5.5M/5 yrs.
• DE Charles Johnson: FA (had been released by Panthers); $3M/1 yr.
• G Chris Scott: Potential UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
• FB Mike Tolbert: UFA; $3.3M/2 yrs, $700,000 SB.
• QB Joe Webb: Potential UFA; $1.96M/2 yr, $200,000 SB.

Players acquired:

• C/G Gino Gradkowski: UFA Falcons; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
• S Trenton Robinson: FA; 1 yr, terms unknown.
• DT Paul Soliai: FA Falcons; $6.5M/2 yrs, $2M SB/$3M guaranteed.

Players lost:

• DE Jared Allen (retired).
• T Nate Chandler (released).
• DT Dwan Edwards (released).
• P Brad Nortman: UFA Jaguars; $8.8M/4 yrs, $1.65M guaranteed.

*NFLDraftScout.com analysts suggest (No. 30 overall)

Rob Rang (March 20 mock draft):

Emmanuel Ogbah, DE, Oklahoma State. The Panthers improved their rotation at defensive end by re-signing veteran Charles Johnson to a one-year deal. But he has struggled with durability and the club already lost Jared Allen to retirement. Ogbah, the two-time defending Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year, would pair with Kony Ealy to give the Panthers a formidable young set of edge rushers.

Dane Brugler (March 20 mock draft):

Kevin Dodd, DE, Clemson. The Panthers need to upgrade the pass rush and add more talent on the edges this offseason. Dodd is still raw in areas, but routinely threatened the pocket this past season using athleticism and hustle.

Agree? Disagree? Still shopping?

Based on the team's current status, there are our suggestions for that first pick. To double check or find another candidate check out NFLDraftScout.com's full mocks and ratings here:

Draft prospects, rankings | Latest mock drafts

Frank Cooney, founder and publisher of The Sports Xchange and NFLDraftScout.com, is in his sixth decade covering football and 26th year on the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee.