The start of free agency can often be the stage for wild gambits by NFL teams: A mass splurging on high-profile, high-priced free agents that usually results in more instances of buyer's remorse than satisfied customers. Relative to other teams around the league, the Carolina Panthers and general manager Marty Hurney have been much more selective and calculated in the first week of the new league year. But oftentimes, that can end up being the best strategy - And it is already earning the Panthers' front office praise from the media.

In his rankings of how all 32 NFL teams have done early in free agency, John Breech of CBS Sports ranked the Panthers fourth-overall, citing how they were "one of the few teams able to fill their needs with quality players without breaking the bank." The Panthers were bested only by the Arizona Cardinals, the Tennessee Titans, and the Cleveland Browns.

The Panthers have indeed approached free agency in a fierce-yet-frugal manner, addressing areas of need without getting involved the annual massive overpaying of players who may or may not be worth it. The Panthers began this approach well before free agency started, re-signing starting safety Eric Reid to a three-year contract worth $22 million. This contract would turn out to be a bargain compared to other contracts given to free agent safeties, such as Landon Collins (Six years, $84 million), Tyrann Mathieu (Three years, $42 million), and Earl Thomas (Four years, $55 million).

Once the legal tampering period began prior to the start of the new league year, the Panthers would then treat themselves by signing Denver Broncos center Matt Paradis to a three-year, $27 million deal. In Paradis, the Panthers have theoretically found a player who can give them as seamless a transition from now-retired All-Pro center Ryan Kalil as possible. And once again, the Panthers were smart with their money: Paradis' $27 million contract was a steal compared to fellow center Mitch Morse, who was given a four-year, $44.5 million contract by the Buffalo Bills.

Finally, the Panthers were able to acquire two quality players on both sides of the trenches with low-risk, one-year deals. First, the Panthers re-signed All-Pro right tackle Daryl Williams to a one-year deal worth $6 million after he missed virtually the entire 2018 season due to a knee injury, allowing them to retain a quality player as they place a premium on offensive line talent. Then, they added a versatile edge rusher by signing former Super Bowl champion Bruce Irvin of Seattle Seahawks and Oakland Raiders fame.

While the Panthers' focus on their offensive and defensive lines may not turn the most heads around the league, general manager Marty Hurney and his staff have nonetheless committed themselves to the pursuit of protecting Cam Newton, blocking for Christian McCaffrey, and restoring their defense to dominant form. Should their approach pay dividends in 2019, the Panthers could end up truly taking the crown of "winners" in free agent market.