Where do Panthers edge rushers rank compared to rest of the NFL?

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A major x-factor for the Carolina Panthers this year will be how much their edge rushing unit improves (or doesn't improve) compared to the last few seasons—where they've consistently ranked near the bottom of the league in sacks.

The team went out of their way to glow up this group in free agency, spending big money (four years and $120 million) on former Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins standout Jaelan Phillips. Phillips definitely got a bit more than he would have signing with practically any other team, but he does make this pass rush look much tougher on paper than it did last year.

Going into the 2026 NFL season, Phillips has been ranked 17th at his position by Bleacher Report—as part of the "critical roster piece" category:

Phillips does his best work as a pass-rusher when he can win around the edge with speed, using a cross-chop move or a ghost rush. He also has the quickness to win across the offensive lineman's face... However, the 2021 first-round pick has never posted a double-digit sack season, because he struggles to finish, missing several tackles against quarterbacks. Against the run, Phillips has enough strength to beat tight ends at the point of attack and set the edge... But the Miami product lacks the strength to consistently defeat and get off blocks from offensive linemen. His tackling issues show up on early downs, too.

Phillips' career-high in sacks is still 8.5, which he hit during his rookie campaign in 2021. He may not only have to reach that number again—but surpass it‚ perhaps by quite a bit, for his pact to pay off.

Even if Phillips defies the negative takes on his game and posts a double digit-sacks, the Panthers' edge unit took a huge hit recently when they lost Nic Scourton for the season to an ACL tear.

Scourton was the only other Carolina edge rusher who made the cut on B/R's list, coming in at No. 69 as part of the "functional performer" tier:

...Last season, Scourton stood out with his ability to turn speed to power as a pass-rusher. After he recovers, he needs to add a changeup to keep offensive tackles on their toes, but assuming he bounces back, he'll have a solid foundation to build off. The second-round pick also made a handful of quality plays against the run as a rookie, sniffing out crack blocks from wide receivers and beating blocks from tight ends to make stops. He just needs to be more consistent and better against offensive linemen.

Carolina hopes that fellow second-year outside linebacker Princely Umanmielen, who was picked the round after Scourton, can step up and help carry the load off the edge.

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Where do Panthers edge rushers rank compared to rest of the NFL?

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