Panthers' splashy 2026 offseason earns another high ranking

[ASFN Admin]

The Carolina Panthers had to have been content with securing their first NFC South title in a decade this past season. But they didn't sit idly by.

Josh Edwards at CBS Sports has ranked the Panthers' offseason the seventh-best in the league this year. Edwards writes:

Carolina made some calls on the opening day of free agency and made a few splash signings... Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd were top of the market earners... A second-round pick was used on Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter. Wide receiver Chris Brazzell II was taken in the third round to complement Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker. Center Sam Hecht was taken in the fifth round, but has starting potential.

Not every draft pick and free agency signing turns out to be a net improvement. But if nothing else, Panthers general manager Dan Morgan and his team have done a good job of identifying where they need to improve most and have moved aggressively to do so.

The splashes of Phillips and Lloyd could help solve some problems in the front seven, where the defense has been limited in their pass rush and in their playmaking abilities. On offense, Brazzell could emerge as a much-needed deep threat while first-rounder Monroe Freeling and Hecht appear to be long-term starters on the trench.

If they can add one more playmaker at the offensive skill positions and plug one of the holes on the back end of their defense, the Panthers should at least be able to hang with any competition the NFL has to offer.

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers' splashy 2026 offseason earns another high ranking

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