The Carolina Panthers haven’t signed one player from another team in free agency. Now they’re set to be the last team to make a selection in the NFL draft.

Julius Peppers is the reason for the free-agency blackout. He could also make the first day of the draft not so boring for the Panthers after all.

Peppers wants to play elsewhere and hasn’t signed his one-year, $16.7 million tender under the franchise tag. But that whopping salary counts against the salary cap, leaving the Panthers unable to fill needs on both lines and the secondary through free agency.Trouble is, it’ll be difficult for the defending NFC South champions to make up ground in the draft because they’re without a first-round pick.

The Panthers first pick is late in the second round, 59th overall. The solution is a trade. Just like last year when Kansas City sent franchise defensive end Jared Allen to Minnesota for a first-round pick and two third-round choices, trading Peppers could net a first-rounder and clear loads of cap space.”I think you’re always looking to do things in the draft,” said general manager Matt Hurney. 

• Mike Cranston