The first playoff team in our rankings, the 8-9 Carolina Panthers. The Panthers made a miracle run that needed everything to break their way over the final few weeks, and it did. They gave the Rams a run for their money in the playoffs, but they enter 2026 with expectations still relatively low around the league. GM Dan Morgan and this staff have done a remarkable job turning one of the league’s laughing stocks into a competent football team, but now they’re tasked with making the jump from respectable to contender, something I’m not convinced they’ve accomplished just yet. After such a breakthrough season, though, the Panthers retained their entire coaching staff and will look to build on that momentum in 2026.
Dave Canales is the head coach in Carolina. A longtime Seahawk who worked under Shane Waldron, Brian Schottenheimer, and Darrell Bevell, he arrived in Carolina after one season as Tampa Bay’s offensive coordinator. He may not be viewed as an elite offensive mind or a CEO-style culture builder, but it’s impossible to discredit the job he’s done turning this franchise around, even when the talent wasn’t always there. He runs an older McVay/Shanahan style offense that utilizes a Cooper Kupp-type big slot receiver, allowing the offense to stay in 3 WR personnel rather than relying on multiple tight end sets.
There is some question about whether the offense will look a little different this season, as Canales is reportedly handing play-calling duties over to offensive coordinator Brad Idzik, who has worked alongside him in various roles since 2019. Up to this point, Idzik has largely been what I call a “figurehead” offensive coordinator under an offensive head coach, but he has clearly had enough influence for Canales to trust him with play calling. I expect the overall scheme to stay the same, but perhaps with more deception and greater play variation. The Panthers were one of the more predictable offenses in the league last season, particularly with their run-pass tendencies.
On defense, Ejiro Evero has finally had the opportunity to prove himself after spending years coaching what was arguably the least talented defense in football. The Panthers poured resources into building the offense and helping Bryce Young develop, often at the expense of the defense. That led many fans to call for Evero’s job, even though he was simply making the most of a difficult situation. Now entering 2026, the defense may actually be more talented than the offense as Carolina looks to move beyond the rebuild and become a legitimate contender. Evero is an outstanding defensive mind who has evolved beyond the Fangio and Brandon Staley coaching tree instead of falling into the trap of relying almost exclusively on quarters coverage. He has run a simplified version of the modern split-safety system, gradually adding more complex coverages as the roster has improved. I expect that evolution to continue this season, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Evero becomes a head coaching candidate in the near future.
Tracy Smith has a decent group of specialists, but he’s struggled to put together quality special teams units in Carolina. The lack of roster depth has made it difficult to build strong coverage and return units, but if any coordinator is on the hot seat, it’s probably Smith. Keeping the entire staff together after 2025 was likely the right decision, but he needs to field at least a competent special teams unit if the Panthers are going to take another step forward this season.
Quarterbacks (22nd)
A very polarizing player, Bryce Young enters Year 4 of what has already been a roller coaster career. He made an awful first impression and was even benched during his second season, but he’s bounced back under this coaching staff. He’s far from a perfect player and still has areas to improve, but he’s been a legitimately good NFL quarterback since returning from that benching. Early in his career, nothing seemed to work. He was inaccurate, quick to abandon the pocket, slow to process defenses, and generally overwhelmed. Very little of that has shown up over the last season and a half. He hasn’t been lights out, but he has quietly developed into a solid starting-caliber quarterback, even if public perception hasn’t fully caught up. In his first career playoff game, he played well and finally gave the broader NFL audience a glimpse of what Panthers fans have been seeing. One of the biggest criticisms of Young has always been his size, but unlike many shorter quarterbacks, he’s willing to attack the middle of the field and doesn’t allow his height to limit his game nearly as much. The room ranks 22nd entering the season, but it should crack the top 20 next year if Young continues on this trajectory.
An offseason trade sent veteran clipboard holder Andy Dalton to Philadelphia, and in return the Panthers brought in Kenny Pickett to back up Young. Dalton brought value as a veteran leader and locker room presence, but Pickett is probably the better football player at this point in their careers. He’s a relatively safe passer with starting experience. His inability to win the starting job in Cleveland last season certainly raises questions about his long-term outlook, but as a backup quarterback he’s perfectly serviceable.
After QB3 Will Grier retired this offseason, UDFA Haynes King is the third and final quarterback in the room. King is the classic college dual-threat quarterback who needs plenty of development before he’s ready to play in the NFL. His best chance to make an impact is probably in a Taysom Hill-like role. He’s more likely to land on the practice squad than the 53-man roster as a rookie, but he’s an intriguing athlete worth developing.
Running Backs (21st)
Chuba Hubbard broke out during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, but came back to earth a bit last year while splitting carries with Rico Dowdle. He isn’t locked into the starting job, as we’ll discuss with the next player, but Hubbard is the definition of a quality NFL starter. Give him a full workload and he’ll likely produce another 1,000-yard season, but he’s also an ideal complementary back if paired with a more explosive RB1.
The Panthers hoped Jonathon Brooks could become that player when they drafted him in the second round. He entered the league coming off an ACL tear that delayed most of his rookie season, but another knee injury quickly ended his comeback and wiped out all of 2025. He enters 2026 with just nine career carries and is still a complete unknown from a health standpoint. Because he entered the league so young, he’s still only 23 years old. Carolina should ease him back into the rotation this season, but he’s expected to be ready for Week 1. If he can bring some explosiveness to this backfield, that’s a huge bonus, but for now he’s one of the more unproven RB2s in the league.
Trevor Etienne is primarily a receiving back, but he can also provide a change of pace on early downs. He played just 63 offensive snaps in 2025 as the RB3 behind Hubbard and Dowdle, but with Brooks both less proven and coming off another major injury, I expect Etienne to see a larger role this season, particularly on third downs. None of the top three backs are especially good in pass protection, which could leave the door open for RB4 A.J. Dillon to make the roster. Dillon is built like a classic power back, but ironically he’s often too slow to consistently generate the momentum needed to excel in that role. He’s actually more valuable on passing downs. He’s easily the best pass blocker in the room, and he has reliable enough hands as a receiver. On screens, he has time to build up speed before contact, allowing him to better utilize his size and power than he typically can on traditional runs. He appears to be on the outside looking in right now, but I could still see him carving out a role if he sticks on the roster.
Anthony Tyus III and Miles Davis round out the room. Tyus is a UDFA from last year who spent time bouncing around practice squads, while Davis is a rookie UDFA out of Utah State. Either could earn a practice squad spot, but neither is a realistic candidate to make the initial 53-man roster.
Weapons (24th)
Wide Receivers (21st)
Tetairoa McMillan is the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year and one of the league’s rising stars at wide receiver. He quickly established himself as Carolina’s top target. McMillan has the frame of a big-bodied receiver, but he’s much more than just a contested catch specialist, similar to what Drake London has developed into. Ironically, contested catches weren’t even one of his biggest strengths as a rookie, but he flashed the ball skills that make me confident he’ll improve in that area. Jalen Coker enters Year 3 as the starting slot receiver and WR2. The former Holy Cross UDFA has already earned a nice extension, but injuries and inconsistency have prevented him from truly breaking out. He finished last season on a high note, posting 134 yards in the Panthers’ playoff loss to the Rams, but he’ll need to become a more consistent target for Bryce Young. Coker isn’t the run blocker or yards-after-catch threat that Cooper Kupp was, but having a reliable slot receiver is so important in the Canales offense, and Coker is that player when healthy. As a young duo, McMillan and Coker have the potential to become one of the better receiving tandems in the league, but both still have room to grow.
WR3 and beyond is where the major questions begin. Xavier Legette currently holds that job, but the 2024 first-round pick simply hasn’t looked like an NFL-caliber receiver to this point. He’s a big vertical threat who consistently creates separation, but his hands have been among the worst in the league, especially in key moments. He gets open, but he’s lost the trust of Bryce Young and the offense. If he doesn’t take a step forward early this season, he could easily lose his starting role. Chris Brazzell II, a third-round rookie out of Tennessee, fits a similar mold. Tennessee’s offense has a reputation for being one of the simplest in college football, and several receivers have struggled to transition from that system to the NFL. Brazzell is smaller but more athletic than Legette, though he also showed inconsistency in college, raising similar questions about his projection. The Panthers clearly want one of these two to seize the job and establish themselves as the long-term WR3.
John Metchie III arrives in free agency to reunite with his college quarterback, Bryce Young. A former second-round pick, Metchie’s career was derailed by a cancer diagnosis before he found himself buried on Houston’s depth chart. Following a midseason trade to the Jets, he flashed enough to show there’s still some upside in a difficult situation. His skill set isn’t the same fit for this role as Legette or Brazzell, but if neither of those players takes control of the position, Metchie deserves an opportunity to rekindle the chemistry he had with Young at Alabama.
Jimmy Horn Jr. is an athletic slot receiver entering his second season after being selected in the sixth round in 2025. He’ll unfortunately be remembered for the critical drop that effectively ended Carolina’s season, something that may be difficult to shake from a narrative standpoint, but the developmental upside is still there if he sticks around. David Moore is a declining veteran, but he’s become a staple of Dave Canales’ teams and is well respected in both the locker room and on special teams. That should be enough to earn him another roster spot and the occasional offensive snap. Brycen Tremayne sits buried on the depth chart but saw playing time last season and profiles as the stylistic backup to Jalen Coker. If he can’t beat out Moore or Horn for a roster spot, Carolina could likely stash him on the practice squad as injury insurance.
Ainias Smith is a former Eagles fifth-round pick who may still have some developmental upside. Dan Chisena is a veteran special teamer who provides depth, while Ja’Seem Reed is a 2025 UDFA who spent last season with Cleveland. Rounding out the room are this year’s undrafted rookies, Kobe Prentice and Malick Meiga. Every player in this group faces an uphill battle to make the 53-man roster, but with so much uncertainty behind the top two receivers, the Panthers could keep multiple developmental options on the practice squad.
Tight Ends (28th)
The Panthers have a three-headed “monster” at tight end, although it’s more a collection of solid contributors than standout players. Tommy Tremble is the classic in-line tight end. He isn’t the dominant blocker that a true blocking specialist would be, but he’s dependable in that role and has reliable hands, even if he isn’t featured much as a receiver. Ja’Tavion Sanders is almost the complete opposite. He’s not much of a blocker, but he’s also bigger than the typical big-slot receiving tight end. He’s the primary vertical threat of the group and easily has the highest ceiling as a pass catcher. Mitchell Evans may already be the best all-around tight end in the room after an impressive rookie season as a fifth-round pick. Carolina likely hopes he eventually takes over Tremble’s role as the every-down in-line tight end, allowing Tremble to settle into more of a true blocking specialist role.
Feleipe Franks is the next man up if Carolina keeps four tight ends. The former quarterback has essentially become a core special teamer, though his athleticism still offers some upside. If the Panthers instead want a more traditional depth tight end, James Mitchell is the better fit. He appeared briefly last season but is more likely headed back to the practice squad.
The skill sets in this room complement each other fairly well, but the Panthers simply haven’t invested many resources at tight end, and it shows. I have the group ranked 28th. It’s a collection of solid but unspectacular players that consistently finishes near the bottom of the league in overall production.
Offensive Line (9th)
Offensive Tackles (12th) & Interior Offensive Line (12th)
The Panthers have an interesting tackle group with quality depth throughout the roster. At right tackle, Taylor Moton is a longtime veteran and one of the most consistent players at the position. He’s slightly better in pass protection than in the run game, but he’s an all-around tackle and remains one of the league’s best right tackles. He’s getting closer to retirement, but there haven’t been any real signs of decline yet. At left tackle is Ikem Ekwonu, the former first-round pick who is a dominant run blocker but still hasn’t fully developed as a pass protector. Ekwonu isn’t really a strength or a weakness for this offensive line when healthy, but the knee injury he suffered in the playoffs has put his entire 2026 season in question. He could miss the year, but the Panthers have yet to place him on IR, leaving some optimism that he’ll return at some point this season.
To replace Ekwonu, Carolina signed Rasheed Walker to a bargain contract. Walker is an impact pass protector but a below-average run blocker. He’s a solid starting option if needed, and if Ekwonu eventually returns, he’d become one of the better swing tackles in the league. With one starter injured and the other approaching the end of his career, the Panthers also invested in what they hope is their tackle of the future by drafting Monroe Freeling. Freeling is a tall, athletic tackle who already excels in pass protection. He’s a bit more of a projection than most first-round tackle prospects, but the physical traits are outstanding, and Carolina doesn’t have to rush him into the lineup. Panthers fans would probably love to see him win a starting job sooner rather than later, but if he isn’t ready, the Panthers are in a position to let him develop while providing quality depth.
That’s really it at tackle. Assuming Ekwonu begins the season on the PUP list, Stone Forsythe would be the fourth tackle. He has experience and can survive in an emergency, but he’s not someone you want playing meaningful snaps. Behind him are two undrafted rookies, Albert Reese and Isaia Glass.
On the interior, Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt were signed in 2024 to stabilize the guard positions, and they’ve done exactly that. Neither is likely to earn All-Pro honors, but both are quality starters who have safely secured their jobs. Center is the weak spot of the group, where Luke Fortner is expected to start. Fortner was forced into the lineup early in Jacksonville and struggled before eventually losing his job. Since then, he’s settled into the role of a capable backup and spot starter, but Carolina is once again giving him the opportunity to start full time. As the fifth offensive lineman, he’s acceptable, but there aren’t many high-end alternatives if he struggles.
Just days ago, the Panthers re-signed Brady Christensen to serve as their primary interior backup while returning from injury. Assuming he’s healthy, he’s the best reserve guard on the roster, though he has limited experience at center. The backup center is currently fifth-round rookie Sam Hecht. Hecht is a limited athlete, but he has a very good feel for the position, especially when it comes to recognizing stunts and processing NFL-level concepts. That gives him the profile of a high-floor backup who could eventually push Fortner for playing time, though I don’t see long-term starter upside.
Chandler Zavala currently projects as the sixth interior lineman. I expect him to make the roster, but he’s struggled whenever he’s been asked to play significant snaps. Saahdiq Charles, Ja’Tyre Carter, Nick Samac, and Joshua Gray round out the group as depth options who will likely be competing for practice squad spots, although there has been some positive buzz surrounding Carter during training camp.
Offense (24th) – Pass Game (24th) – Run Game (15th)
The Panthers’ offense is ultimately capped by too many unproven pieces, and it can only rank so high until Bryce Young proves he’s an above-average NFL starter. The running back and wide receiver rooms both offer plenty of developmental upside, while the offensive line provides a high floor for the unit as a whole. The run game should once again be a strength, which comes as no surprise, but the passing attack still has plenty of room to grow as all of the young talent continues to develop.
Defensive Line (18th)
Interior Defensive Line (9th)
The Panthers’ interior defensive line is one of the more polarizing groups in the league. They’re among the NFL’s best against the run, but they struggle to generate consistent interior pass rush. Derrick Brown is arguably the best run-defending defensive tackle in football, yet he has just 13 career sacks in five seasons. He flashes as a pass rusher from time to time, but he’s never quite been able to put it all together. Brown can line up anywhere across the interior, from nose tackle to a hybrid defensive end role, giving the Panthers plenty of versatility. Hopefully, the improvements on the edge take some pressure off him as a pass rusher because, for as dominant as he is against the run, his lack of pass-rushing production has become a bigger issue for Carolina than it has been for opposing offenses.
Bobby Brown is a rotational interior lineman who is essentially a lesser version of Derrick Brown. He’s another run-stuffing specialist who offers very little as a pass rusher. Tershawn Wharton was signed to a solid contract in 2025 to provide some interior pass rush alongside those two, but he’s currently dealing with an injury and may not even make the roster. Second-round rookie Lee Hunter projects as the team’s nose tackle of the future. He has a little more pass-rush upside than the other run defenders in the room, but he’s still much stronger against the run than he is collapsing the pocket. As for the depth, Cam Jackson and LaBryan Ray are also primarily run defenders. They’re both quality players, but neither provides the complementary skill set the Panthers desperately need along the interior.
Jared Harrison-Hunte is listed high on the depth chart after making the roster as a UDFA in 2025, but the player I’m most interested in is Aaron Hall. The undrafted rookie out of Duke has been generating plenty of buzz during training camp and has a legitimate chance to make the team. Like most of the players in this room, he’s a run-first defender, but he has shown more pass-rush potential than several of the veterans ahead of him. Predicting UDFA success is always difficult, but Hall has put himself firmly in the conversation and could carve out a rotational role if he continues to impress. Tywone Malone and Parker Petersen round out the group, but so far Aaron Hall has stolen the spotlight.
Edge Rushers (21st)
Jaelan Phillips was Carolina’s biggest signing this offseason. Injuries have defined much of his career, and he even medically retired at one point before making his return to the NFL. After everything he’s been through, he’s clearly lost a step athletically, but he’s still been a productive player whenever he’s on the field. The Panthers desperately needed help off the edge, but this is a significant investment in a player who has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. To his credit, Phillips appeared in all 17 games last season between Miami and Philadelphia, though he finished with just five sacks. Lining up opposite him is 2025 second-round pick Nic Scourton. Scourton doesn’t possess elite physical traits, but he’s a polished technician who projects as a productive complementary pass rusher. Like most edge defenders, both starters are known more for rushing the passer, but they’re also dependable run defenders, giving the defensive line one of its biggest strengths against the run.
Princely Umanmielen, a third-round pick in 2025, is next in the rotation. His physical traits are only average by NFL edge standards, and he offers very little against the run, but he has enough pass-rushing ability to carve out a role as a designated pass rusher on obvious passing downs. Patrick Jones II is the primary all-around backup. He was arguably overpaid in 2025 and hasn’t developed as Carolina had hoped, but after returning from injury he could still earn a rotational role. Trevis Gipson had a few productive seasons earlier in his career, but he’s now a declining veteran who should see most of his snaps on special teams. Nick Hampton and Thomas Incoom provide additional depth but may find themselves on the roster bubble. UDFA Isaiah Smith is likely competing for a practice squad spot rather than a place on the initial 53-man roster.
Linebackers (19th)
Devin Lloyd is coming off an All-Pro season, even if that honor doesn’t carry quite the same weight for linebackers as it does at some other positions. He recorded five interceptions last year in Jacksonville, a number that’s difficult to expect him to repeat, but it speaks to the instincts he brings in both coverage and run defense. Lloyd isn’t an elite athlete or a highlight-reel tackler, but he always seems to find himself in the right position. He’s a massive upgrade over anything the Panthers have had at linebacker in recent seasons. He’s also an effective blitzer, even if Carolina doesn’t ask its linebackers to rush the passer very often.
Trevin Wallace, a third-round pick in 2024, remains a developmental prospect who has been brought along slowly. Linebacker is one of the more difficult positions to transition to in the NFL, and while Wallace has shown some improvement in coverage, he’s still a work in progress against the run. The athletic traits are obvious, and with a proven veteran like Lloyd alongside him, Wallace will have another opportunity to take a step forward this season. The depth behind him also isn’t strong enough to seriously threaten his starting job.
Claudin Cherelus played rotational snaps last season but has struggled in pass coverage throughout his career. He could rotate in on obvious running downs, but he isn’t an impact defender. 2025 UDFA Bam Martin-Scott earned his roster spot with outstanding special teams play last season and is expected to make the team again, though he shouldn’t factor much into the defensive rotation. The same is probably true for seventh-round rookie Jackson Kuwatch, who entered the league primarily as a special teams prospect but has the athleticism to develop into a linebacker over time. Those five are the most likely players to make the roster. Maema Njongmeta, Jared Bartlett, and international pathway player Mapalo Mwansa are all unproven and aren’t expected to be major factors in this conversation.
The lack of depth limits the ceiling of this room, especially if the Panthers suffer a significant injury, but the addition of Lloyd and the continued development of Wallace give Carolina a chance to have a legitimate strength at linebacker for the first time in quite a while.
Cornerbacks (12th)
Jaycee Horn is a borderline star at cornerback, though inconsistency still keeps him from reaching the league’s elite tier. He’ll have games where he struggles, but he’ll also have games where he completely takes over as both a shutdown corner and a playmaker. His understanding of zone coverage is outstanding, and he’s quick to abandon his assignment when he correctly diagnoses a play, allowing him to make an impact all over the field. It often feels like he covers far more ground than a cornerback should realistically be able to.
Mike Jackson arrived from Seattle as a backup corner with limited athletic traits, but he’s found the perfect fit in Carolina. With split safeties protecting him over the top, Jackson doesn’t have to worry as much about getting beaten vertically, allowing his instincts and technique to shine. He’s developed into a very good, and maybe even underrated, No. 2 corner. He’ll occasionally put together a standout performance, but his biggest strength is simply how steady he is from week to week. Both Horn and Jackson thrive in zone coverage, but neither would be quite as comfortable in a defense built around heavy man coverage, which is one reason the Panthers lean so heavily into zone concepts.
Chau Smith-Wade is clearly a favorite of this front office, but outside of his high-energy run defense, he hasn’t consistently put everything together. He’s an aggressive player, but the results in coverage haven’t matched the effort. Corey Thornton, an undrafted rookie in 2025, has the ideal build to play nickel corner but hasn’t fully claimed the job yet despite being a fan favorite. Reports out of camp last year suggested he had actually won the starting role before an injury derailed those plans. He’s still completely unproven, but there are plenty of people in Carolina who believe he can become the long-term answer in the slot.
Akayleb Evans is an athletic depth corner who should make the roster as a reserve with some value in man coverage, though he likely won’t see many defensive snaps unless injuries force him into action. Fourth-round rookie Will Lee III is an intriguing prospect who fits a similar mold to Mike Jackson, but he’ll probably contribute primarily on special teams if he sees the field this season. Robert Rochell flashed some potential with the Rams earlier in his career, but after bouncing around the league, he’s no lock to make this roster. Tyrek Funderburk and Michael Reid are former undrafted players who could land on the practice squad, while Jaylon Guilbeau, DeVonta Smith, and Cam Miller are this year’s UDFAs. I find all three intriguing, but the competition at corner is strong, and they’ll have to outperform several established depth pieces to earn a roster spot.
Safeties (23rd)
Tre’von Moehrig received a big contract from Carolina in 2025 to help stabilize this defense, and for the most part he delivered, even if the deal may have been a slight overpay. Moehrig isn’t an elite coverage safety and doesn’t generate much ball production, but he’s a reliable tackler, a strong run defender, and does an excellent job preventing the explosive plays that plagued the Panthers for years. While he naturally fits as a strong safety or box defender, he spent plenty of time playing deep in Carolina’s split-safety scheme and handled the role well enough.
Ideally, though, Moehrig would be paired with a true coverage safety, and Nick Scott isn’t quite that player. Scott played admirably last season and cleaned up many of the tackling issues that had followed him earlier in his career, but he’s probably better suited for a nickel or dime role than as a full-time starter. He wasn’t a liability, but his coverage ability still falls short of what you’d ideally want in this defense.
Fourth-round pick Lathan Ransom could challenge for that starting job, but he’s another physical, downhill safety who still has room to develop in coverage. He also needs to become more consistent before the Panthers can feel comfortable handing him a full-time role. Fifth-round rookie Zakee Wheatley may ultimately be the answer. He posted a disappointing 40-yard dash at the Combine, but his film tells a different story. Wheatley consistently won with instincts and anticipation, allowing him to play faster than he tested by diagnosing plays early and putting himself in the right position. He projects as an excellent complement to Moehrig and looks like a natural fit in Carolina’s zone-heavy defensive system.
Beyond those four, Panthers fans remain intrigued by Isaiah Simmons and his unique ability to play safety, linebacker, and special teams. He may or may not make the initial 53-man roster, but even if he doesn’t, he’d be an ideal practice squad player and game-day elevation because of his versatility on special teams. Demani Richardson, an undrafted rookie in 2024, also appears to be primarily a special teams contributor at this point.
The safety room as a whole is still a question mark, but I think the pieces are there to develop into a quality unit. Whether that happens will depend on Carolina pushing the right buttons and, most importantly, on the development of its young safeties.
Defense (19th) – Front Seven (19th) – Coverage Unit (16th)
After a few major offseason additions, the defense now ranks ahead of the offense that the Panthers spent so many years building. With both the defensive line and safety room being somewhat one-dimensional, I expect Carolina to hang its hat on stopping the run and forcing opponents to beat them through the air. That formula should work well against teams with below-average quarterbacks or limited passing attacks, but it may not hold up against the league’s elite offenses. If that’s the case, the Panthers could be headed for a season that looks very similar to the one they had in 2025, despite the offseason upgrades.
Specialists (21st)
Kicker Ryan Fitzgerald was a 2025 UDFA I was high on, but he didn’t break out during his rookie season. He appears to have been given another opportunity and enters camp uncontested for the job, but the position currently ranks in bottom half of the league. Sam Martin returns after a solid 2025 season and profiles as a league-average punter. Long snapper JJ Jansen has been with Carolina since 2009 and remains the veteran leader of the group.
Trevor Etienne is still relatively unproven as a returner and doesn’t do much to raise the ceiling of this unit. The same can be said for David Moore and Chuba Hubbard, who are also options in the return game. I’d actually like to see Jimmy Horn Jr. get an opportunity there if he earns a roster spot. The coverage units also graded poorly in 2025, though the overall improvement of the defense could help raise the quality of special teams players Carolina has available.
Ultimately, special teams is unlikely to be a strength for this team, but hopefully for Carolina’s sake, it won’t become a major weakness either.
Win Prediction (Over 7)
The Panthers have done a good job of addressing their weaknesses and raising the overall floor of the team, even if they don’t have many truly dominant strengths. I think the run defense will allow them to beat teams with weaker quarterbacks, but they could struggle against elite competition unless the offense takes another step forward.
The downside of winning the tiebreaker to make the playoffs last season is that Carolina now faces a first-place schedule, even while still benefiting from the NFC South rotation. They travel to Cleveland to face the Browns, but outside of their divisional matchups, the Panthers could enter most games as underdogs. I understand why the over/under is set relatively low, but I believe this offense is ready to improve. I’m going out on a limb and projecting Carolina to pull off a few of those upsets, win at least eight games, and hit the over.
