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Grade Carolina Panthers sign AJ Dillon
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Quick Reaction
Sentiment Analysis
B-
Positive
NegativeMixedPositive
Carolina adds a serviceable backup running back to compete for carries. Media coverage emphasizes Dillon's veteran experience and previous team affiliations unremarkably. Dillon's age and injury history suggest depth rather than starter potential. Fans view this as a low-risk, low-reward roster addition move. Panthers likely continue evaluating younger options while Dillon provides short-term insurance.
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Contract Value Index (CVI)
C+
Fair Value
OverpayFair ValueGreat Value
AJ Dillon's one-year, $1.4M signing earns a C+ Contract Value Index (CVI) — a low-cost depth move that slots into the veteran minimum tier and reflects his current standing as a reserve-caliber back rather than a featured option. At $1.4M AAV on a one-year deal, this is precisely the kind of short-term, prove-it contract you'd expect for a player in a rotational role, offering the Panthers minimal financial risk and maximum flexibility heading into what is currently a playoff positioning scenario at 8-9 in the NFC South. The value equation here is straightforward: Carolina gets depth at a position where production volatility is high, without mortgaging cap space or future draft capital, which matters when you're fighting to stay competitive in a competitive division. Dillon's pedigree suggests he can contribute in a limited capacity, but the one-year structure and bargain-bin AAV make it clear the organization is not banking on him as a cornerstone piece — this is a squad-filler signing designed to add bodies without commitment. The CVI reflects that reality: serviceable upside, zero downside, and the kind of low-stakes transaction that keeps a roster flexible during a critical stretch run.
Contract Details
- Length
- 1 year
- Total Value
- $1.4M
- AAV
- $1.4M
- Guaranteed
- $100K
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About this NFL transaction
The Carolina Panthers signed AJ Dillon (RB) on March 24, 2026. FanVerdicts covers every reported NFL move — and asks fans to weigh in on each one. Cast your Fan Verdict on this move, see where the crowd lands, and argue the call. FanVerdicts brings its own read too — sentiment and Contract Value Index — as one honest input alongside the crowd's. Where FanVerdicts has weighed in so far: Contract Value Index C+, Sentiment B-.
Contract details below show the years, total value, average annual value, and guaranteed money behind the Contract Value Index read. That read does not change once written — it reflects market expectations at the moment of signing, recomputed only if the contract is restructured.
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