RSS Panthers Team Notes

[Carolina Panthers]

GM Dan Morgan’s 2025 performance: Grading Rounds 1-3 of the NFL Draft

The Panthers hired Dan Morgan as president of football operations and general manager on January 22, 2024. Morgan is a Panthers “lifer” after spending his seven-year NFL career in Charlotte from 2001 through 2007 then spending years in the Panthers front office. Let’s take a look back on Morgan’s second season as GM. We’ve previously evaluated his performance with trades and with free agents.

Let’s now assess Morgan’s 2025 draft day performance. Today we will focus on draft day trades plus first three rounds, will focus on players drafted in Rounds 3-7.

Draft day performance

It’s a bit of a fool’s errand to evaluate a draft class after just one season because we still don’t know what type of player these guys will be in three or four years, but one season is all the data we have.

When grading draft picks it’s important to measure their performance relative to rookie expectations. My general criteria for rookies is this:

Round 1 – Average contributing starter

Round 2 – Spot starter and key rotational piece

Rounds 3-4 – Capable rotational depth

Rounds 5-6 – Special teams

Round 7 – Any contributions is a borderline miracle

1st Round, No. 8 – Tetairoa McMillan, wide receiver

2025 stats: 17 games (17 starts), 70 receptions, 1,014 yards, 7 TDs

The University of Arizona star was a home run pick. He was named by the Pro Football Writers of America as the rookie of the year, offensive rookie of the year, and a member of the all-rookie team. A rookie exceeding 1,000 receiving yards on a team with an inconsistent passing attack like the Panthers and no true WR2 to take the heat off him is remarkable.

At 6-foot-5 and 212 pounds he can overpower smaller defenders. With his crisp routes and athleticism he quickly separates from linebackers and safeties. He has All-Pro potential and could develop into one of the best receivers in the league for the next decade.

Grade relative to expectations: A+

2nd Round, No. 51 – Nic Scourton, outside linebacker

2025 stats: 17 games (8 starts), 47 tackles, 5.0 sacks, 7 tackles for loss, 9 QB hits, 15 pressures

The Panthers defense struggled all season to get to the quarterback, and Scourton’s five sacks tied Derrick Brown for the most on the team. His 15 pressures also tied Brown for most on the team. In other words, the two most disruptive players on the Panthers defense are a previous Pro Bowler in Derrick Brown and a second round rookie in Nic Scourton.

After starting the season somewhat slowly with 11 tackles through the Panthers first seven games, over the next 10 games he racked up 46 tackles and 3.5 sacks. The progress he made as the season progressed was evident, which is exactly what teams want to see from second round picks. He had a solid rookie season and could develop into an impact player.

Grade relative to expectations: B+

Round 3, No. 77 – Princely Umanmielen, outside linebacker

2025 stats: 16 games (0 starts), 24 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, 5 pressures

The former Florida and Ole Miss star generally met expectations for a third round pick. He played 222 defensive snaps over 16 games, or about 14 snaps per game, making him a consistent rotational piece. Carolina traded up eight spots in the third round to land Umanmielen so the front office was definitely targeting him given his skillset and the team’s needs.

Realistic expectations for a third round pick is to provide capable rotational depth, and Princely did just that. That said, Panthers fans were probably hoping for more impact from his rookie season given the team’s massive need for more pressure off the edge, but that will have to come in future years.

Grade relative to expectations: B-

Rounds 1-3 summary

In all, Dan Morgan and his front office talent evaluators had a strong first three rounds of the 2025 draft. Tetairoa McMillan will give the Panthers their first legit WR1 since DJ Moore left Carolina after the 2022 season. Nic Scourton flashed potential to develop into a capable full-time starter. Princely Umanmielen was fine for a third round pick and gained some valuable experience in his rookie season.

In assessing Dan Morgan’s performance in the draft, he gets extra credit for knocking it out of the part with Tet McMillan.

Well done, Mr. Morgan.

Overall grade for Rounds 1-3: A–

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...rformance-grading-rounds-1-3-of-the-nfl-draft

 

[Carolina Panthers]

GM Dan Morgan’s 2025 performance: The final grade

Over the past several weeks we’ve been assessing Dan Morgan’s performance in his second year on the job as general manager of the Carolina Panthers. We’ve reviewed his trades, scrutinized his free agent additions, and evaluated his 2025 draft performance, including Rounds 1-3 and Rounds 4-7.

It’s now time to roll everything up and give him a final grade for his rookie year. The way I grade is a “C” is “meets expectations”, so As and Bs exceeded expectations while anything below a C fell short of reasonable expectations. Here we go:

The Adam Thielen trade

The Panthers front office kept its powder dry on the trade front for the most part in 2025, executing just one player trade on the season. In August 2025 — just before the season began — Dan Morgan traded productive veteran wide receiver Adam Thielen back to his old home with the Minnesota Vikings. In return the Panthers moved up from the 7th round to the 5th round in 2026 and from the 5th round to the 4th round in 2027.

In the end, the Panthers would have been better off retaining their clearcut No. 2 receiver who had unmistakable chemistry with up-and-down quarterback Bryce Young. In two seasons in Carolina Thielen averaged just over five receptions and 60 yards per game. More importantly, he hauled in a remarkable 77.4% of his targets in 2024.

No other Panthers receiver stepped up and claimed the WR2 spot vacated by Thielen, which ultimately hindered Bryce Young’s development and weakened a Panthers team that ultimately made the playoffs.

Moving up a couple of rounds in the mid- to late-rounds of the NFL Draft wasn’t worth losing a highly productive veteran receiver from a surprise playoff team.

Trade grade: D+

The 2025 key free agents

Since the Panthers signed a host of free agents in 2025, I’m only grading Dan Morgan on the deals he made that exceed $5 million in average annual salary. These are the players the Panthers were expecting to make an impact, and Morgan put his money where his mouth was when signing these four key free agents:

Trevon Moehrig, safety – 3 years, $50 million ($17.1 million/yr), $34.5 million guaranteed. After Moehrig started 16 games and racked up 103 tackles with 14 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks, he became the type of run-support safety the Panthers were hoping for in the secondary.

Tershawn Wharton, defensive tackle – 3 years, $45.1 million ($15 million/yr), $30.3 million guaranteed. Wharton’s first season in Carolina was derailed by injuries and he appeared in just nine games. In those nine games he registered a respectable 36 tackles and 2.0 sacks. While grading the play of interior defensive linemen is subjective, PFF ranked him No. 127 of 134 players at his position.

Patrick Jones, outside linebacker – 2 years, $15 million ($7.5 million/yr), $10.3 million guaranteed. Jones’s season was limited to just four games due to injury. We’ll have to wait until next year to see if this signing pays off, provided he isn’t released.

Bobby Brown, defensive tackle – 3 years, $21 million ($7.0 million/yr), $9.6 million guaranteed. Signing Brown was a solid move, especially given his age (25) and affordable $7.0 million average annual salary. In 2025 he started five of 17 games with 31 tackles, three tackles for loss, and 0.5 sacks. PFF graded him as No. 80 of 144 players at his position, which is just fine given all of the factors above.

Overall free agent grade: C+

2025 NFL Draft Rounds 1-3

All we can do is tip the cap to Dan Morgan for his performance in the first three rounds of the NFL Draft.

Tetairoa McMillan, WR – First round rookie Tetairoa McMillan exceeded 1,000 receiving yards and was named the Pro Football Writers of America’s rookie of the year, offensive rookie of the year, and a member of the all-rookie team. This pick was a home run.

Nic Scourton, OLB – In the second round Morgan moved up a few spots to land outside linebacker Nic Scourton at No. 51. The rookie had a really solid first season by starting eight of 17 games and registering 47 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, and 15 pressures. He tied Derrick Brown to lead the team in both sacks and pressures on the season. Scourton is looking like a great pick.

Princely Umanmielen, OLB – In Round 3 the Panthers drafted another outside linebacker in Princely Umanmielen at No. 77. Expectations for third round picks should be tempered, and Princely somewhat exceeded those expectations. He played 16 games as a rotational player, logging 222 snaps. His 24 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and five pressures were a decent enough season for a player drafted where he was.

Round 1-3 grade: A-

2025 NFL Draft Rounds 4-7

When evaluating mid- to late-round picks, it’s important to do so in context of what should reasonably be expected of them. Fourth rounders should be able to provide some limited rotational depth as rookies. Fifth and sixth round picks should make the roster and primarily contribute on special team. Any production for seventh-round rookies is gravy. With that in mind, Dan Morgan did quite well in the back half of the draft.

Travis Etienne, RB – Etienne was selected in the fourth round (No. 114) and while he only had 20 carries on the season, he made a positive impact on the team as the Panthers primary punt and kick returner.

Lathan Ransom, S – Ransom was another fourth rounder (No. 122) and he significantly exceeded expectations. He started six of 16 games and recorded 51 tackles. PFF graded him at No. 67 of 98 safeties, which is a great starting point for the No. 122 pick.

Cam Jackson, DT – Cam Jackson was one of Morgan’s two fifth round picks (No. 140) and he appeared in nine games, logging 85 defensive snaps and 30 on special teams. That’s a bit light for where the defensive tackle was drafted.

Mitchell Evans, TE – Mitchell Evans, on the other hand, had a great rookie season for a fifth round pick (No. 163). Evans seemingly came out of nowhere to push both Tommy Tremble and Ja’Tavion Sanders for snaps. In all, Mitchell played 393 offensive snaps — or 37% of the Panthers total – with 19 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns. That’s a fantastic debut season for the No. 163 pick.

Jimmy Horn, Jr. – Finally, Jimmy Horn Jr. rounded out the Panthers draft in the sixth round (No. 208). Horn also outpunched his draft status for a rookie wide receiver with 177 scrimmage yards over 13 games, including 11 receptions on 15 targets (73.3%) for 108 yards and eight carries for 69 more. He looked like he belonged in the NFL, which isn’t always the case for guys drafted after No. 200.

Rounds 4-7 grade: A-

The overall summary

While Dan Morgan might have whiffed on the Adam Thielen trade, it’s not going to set the franchise back in any real way, but neither will it move the team forward. This one trade isn’t nearly as impactful as the free agent and draft decisions he made in 2025, so we’ll mostly let this one slide.

Morgan’s biggest 2025 free agent signings mostly paid off (Moehrig, Brown) or were hard to evaluate due to injury. Tershawn Wharton will need to be both healthy and productive next year, but for now it was a slightly above average 2025 free agent class for the Panthers.

But where Dan Morgan and the Panthers front office excelled this past season was in the draft. Nearly every player either met or exceeded rookie expectations based on where they were drafted. Tet McMillan looks like a star. Nic Scourton looks like a legitimate starter. Umanmielen, Ransom, Evans, and Horn look like solid rotational pieces at worst. Etienne could be Carolina’s lead returner for years to come. What a haul!

When rolling everything together, Dan Morgan had a really solid 2025 as the Carolina Panthers general manager.

2025 final grade: B+

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...-dan-morgans-2025-performance-the-final-grade

 

[Carolina Panthers]

GM Dan Morgan’s 2025 performance: Round 4-7 of the NFL Draft

The Panthers hired Dan Morgan as president of football operations and general manager on January 22, 2024. Morgan is a Panthers “lifer” after spending his seven-year NFL career in Charlotte from 2001 through 2007 then spending years in the Panthers front office. Let’s take a look back on Morgan’s second season as GM. We’ve previously evaluated his performance with trades and with free agents.

Let’s now assess Morgan’s 2025 draft day performance. Today we will focus on Rounds 4-7 after covering Rounds 1-3 last week.

Draft day performance

It’s a bit of a fool’s errand to evaluate a draft class after just one season because we still don’t know what type of player these guys will be in three or four years, but one season is all the data we have.

When grading draft picks it’s important to measure their performance relative to rookie expectations. My general criteria for rookies is this:

Round 1 – Average contributing starter

Round 2 – Spot starter and key rotational piece

Rounds 3-4 – Capable rotational depth

Rounds 5-6 – Special teams

Round 7 – Any contributions is a borderline miracle

Here we go!

Round 4, No. 114 – Trevor Etienne, running back

2025 Stats: 17 games (0 starts), 20 carries, 90 yards (4.7 YPC); 3 receptions, 13 yards; 20 punt returns (8.2 YPR), 31 kick returns (23.6 YPR)

The former Florida and Georgia star did what few fourth-round rookies do by appearing in all 17 games and making some meaningful contributions for a playoff team. Etienne joined a crowded running back room in Carolina behind two established starters in Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle, both of whom had 1,000-plus yard seasons in 2024. Even then, in limited carries Etienne averaged a healthy 4.7 yards per carry. His main contributions came as the Panthers main punt and kick returner throughout the season, and fulfilling that role fairly well.

Draft grade: B

Round 4, No. 122 – Lathan Ransom, safety

2025 stats: 16 games (6 starts), 51 tackles, 1.0 sacks, 2 passes defended

Lathan Ransom had a quietly productive rookie season, especially for a fourth round pick. I did a double-take when I saw he had 51 tackles this year. He played 336 defensive snaps and 169 more on special teams, so he was on the field a lot. Per Football Reference, he was targeted 18 times in coverage and surrendered 10 receptions, or a 55.6% completion percentage. His tackling was sound with a 3.8% missed tackle rate. PFF graded him out as the No. 67 of 98 safeties in the league, which is more than commendable given his draft pedigree.

Draft grade: A-

Round 5, No. 140 – Cam Jackson, defensive tackle

2025 stats: 9 games (0 starts), 9 tackles

The 6-foot-6, 328-pounder hovered just below the “meets expectations” criteria for a fifth round rookie. He made the 53-man roster and appeared in nine games, playing 85 defensive snaps and 30 on special teams, which is lower than you’d like to see from the No. 140 pick. The highlight from his rookie campaign was the five tackles he racked up in a loss to the Seattle Seahawks late in the season.

Draft grade: D+

Round 5, No. 163 – Mitchell Evans, tight end

2025 stats: 17 games (10 starts), 19 receptions, 171 yards, 2 TDs

The former Notre Dame star was the biggest pleasant surprise from the Panthers crop of rookies. Despite joining a tight end room with established players like Tommy Tremble and Ja’Tavion Sanders, Evans still earned a meaningful role in his first NFL season. He played an impressive 393 offensive snaps, or 37% of the team’s total, meaning he was also blocking when not catching passes. His 19 receptions came on 25 targets, meaning he snagged 76% of his targets. He absolutely blew past what should be reasonably expected from a fifth round pick.

Draft grade: A

Round 6, No. 208 – Jimmy Horn Jr., wide receiver

2025 stats: 13 games, 11 receptions, 108 yards; 8 rushes, 69 yards

Getting 177 scrimmage yards in 13 games from a sixth round pick is sweet, sweet production. The Colorado product also snared 11 of his 15 targets, giving him a superb 73.3% catch percentage. To put Horn’s seemingly modest production in context, per Football Reference a total of 13 wide receivers were drafted between No. 133 in the fourth round and No. 252 in the seventh round. Jimmy Horn Jr.’s 177 scrimmage yards ranked third among that group. It was a promising start for the late-round pick.

Draft grade: A-

Rounds 4-7 summary

Man, relative to expectations, Dan Morgan killed the later rounds of the draft.

The contributions from Etienne, Ransom, Evans, and Horn well exceeded expectations for players selected where they were drafted. Cam Jackson was the only one to underperform, and even then made the roster and got nine games under his belt in his debut NFL season.

Outstanding work by Mr. Morgan and company!

Overall Rounds 4-7 grade: A-

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...s-2025-performance-round-4-7-of-the-nfl-draft

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Best Prospect Names in the 2026 NFL Draft

Feb 6, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; The 2026 NFL Draft logo at the Super Bowl LX Experience at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Every year, the NFL Draft is packed with amazing prospects who have incredible abilities and athletic traits most people could only dream of. Those prospects are often celebrated for their achievements leading up to the Draft, and deservedly so. This post will not celebrate those attributes. Instead, we’ll celebrate something most of these athletes have no control over: their names. Here is a list of some of the prospects with the best names, surnames, and nicknames in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Food and Drink​

Makai Lemon, WR, USC

Dominique Orange, DT, Ohio State

Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State

Jalen Farmer, OG, Kentucky

Marlin Klein, TE, Michigan

Jager Burton, C, Kentucky

Jam Miller, HB, Alabama

Caden Curry, Edge, Ohio State

Positional Puns​

Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina (a corner named Cisse like in “cease and desist”)

Romello Height, Edge, Texas Tech (“only” 6’3″)

Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama (Germie has some sick moves)

Jake Slaughter, C, Florida (killing the opposing defensive line)

Genesis Smith, S, Arizona State (I’ve been in on Genesis since the beginning)

Isaiah World, OT, Oregon (at 6’8″ and over 300 lbs, that is an appropriate last name)

Kage Casey, OT, Boise State (putting edge rushers in a Kage)

VJ Payne, S, Kansas State (bringing the Payne on defense)

Riley Mahlman, OT, Wisconsin (sounds like “maul man,” which is appropriate for a tackle)

Squirrel White, WR, Florida State (a quick, under 5’10 receiver nicknamed Squirrel)

Scooby Williams, LB, Texas A&M (Scooby will solve the mystery of the other team’s offense)

Diego Pounds, OT, Ole Miss (335 of them, actually)

Jalen Huskey, S, Maryland (if you want a real dog in your secondary)

Damonic Williams, DT, Oklahoma (imagine playing against a big dude like that named Damonic)

Brett Thorson, P, Georgia (puts some thunder into his kicks)

“No, not that one”​

Justin Jefferson, LB, Alabama

Roy Williams, Edge, Northern Illinois

Marcus Allen, CB, North Carolina (in fairness, he is the son of the *that* Marcus Allen)

Marvin Jones Jr, Edge, Oklahoma (also a former Lions wide out)

DeVonta Smith, CB, Notre Dame

Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

Overall Great Names​

Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati (The Godfather)

Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa

Nate Boerkircher, TE, Texas A&M

Hezekiah Masses, CB, Cal

Dametrious Crownover, OT, Texas A&M

Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington

Seydou Traore, TE, Mississippi State

Maverick McIvor, QB, Western Kentucky

Amari Niblack, TE, Texas A&M

Jacobian Guillory II, DT, LSU

Chamon Metayer, TE, Arizona State

Ka’ena Decambra, C, Arizona

Namdi Obiazor, LB, TCU

What do you think Panthers fans? Who has the best name in the 2026 Draft? Did I miss anyone? Sound off in the comments!

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...163/best-prospect-names-in-the-2026-nfl-draft

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Ask Brian: Should the Panthers sign Bradley Chubb?

Dec 21, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins linebacker Bradley Chubb (2) runs on the field at the start of the game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Hello CSR! Welcome to Ask Brian, your weekly Panthers fan mail bag for everyone! We’re starting to get deep into the NFL off-season, and mock drafts are flying wild. We have free agency on the horizon, and right now it’s the best time for many fans as we can speculate on the future of the Panthers. One shoe dropped this week, former Denver Bronco defensive edge, Bradley Chubb was released by the Miami Dolphins. I am wondering what Panthers fans might think of bringing in a guy who played under Ejiro Evero in Denver. The Panthers definitely could use an edge rusher, and Bradley Chubb should be a highly sought after free agent at a premium position.

You all no the drill, comment down below with all your questions, whether they be Panthers related, football related, or even completely off-topic! As always, I’ll highlight my favorite answers and respond to all of your questions later on in the week.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...-brian-should-the-panthers-sign-bradley-chubb

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Rising Stars: Tetairoa McMillan

Oct 12, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) celebrates a touchdown during the second quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images | Cory Knowlton-Imagn Images

While this series is titled Rising Stars, Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan has a strong argument to remove the word ‘rising’, because he already might be a star. It’s hefty praise to heap onto a rookie, but in the era of the NFL where first year players are thrown into the starting line-up in the league’s most important roles, those who immediately stand out among them are set to become the next generation of stars.

And boy, did McMillan stand out. While setting a franchise record for receiving yards for a rookie wide receiver, he also led the entire 2025 draft class of wide receivers in each of the following categories:

• Targets
• Receptions
• Yards
• Receiving Touchdowns
• First downs
• PFF Grade

Tetairoa McMillan 70 REC, 1014 YDS, 7 TDs NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year 2025-2026 Season.pic.twitter.com/SWPwrnNZHW https://t.co/6AUabjfDZl

— Football Performances (@NFLPerformances) February 10, 2026

Among all NFL receivers, McMillan was ranked no lower than 25th in the above categories. Marks good enough to earn the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, an award only won by one other rookie in Panther’s history: Cam Newton.

There are some aspects to McMillan’s game that need refining, however. There’s no questioning McMillan’s production or his overall efficiency – after all, McMillan is one of only 10 receivers in the last 6 years to surpass 1,000 receiving yards in their rookie season. Unfortunately, there was an element of inconsistency that likely cost McMillan, and the Panthers as a whole, a lot of hidden yardage.

According to PFF, McMillan was charged with 7 dropped passes which is tied for 9th most in the NFL. While drops can kill momentum on a drive, the more concerning stat to watch going forward is the number of interceptions allowed when McMillan was the targeted receiver. 6 of McMillan’s targets ended up in a defender’s hands. There was never more than 1 interception per game, but that number was still the 5th most in the NFL and the Panthers lost 5 of those 6 games in which they occurred.

Regardless, McMillan’s unique combination of size, speed and fluidity have made him a threat to line-up at any receiver position on the field and produce like a number one wide receiver in an NFL offense. The sky is the limit for young McMillan, and we’ll continue to watch his career with great interest.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/carolina-panthers-analysis/58167/rising-stars-tetairoa-mcmillan

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Adding Teeth to the Bite: Panthers Roster Holes in the Offensive Backfield

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - SEPTEMBER 29: Andy Dalton #14 of the Carolina Panthers and Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers interact on the sidelines during a game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Bank of America Stadium on September 29, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Bengals defeated the Panthers 34-24. (Kara Durrette/Getty Images) | Getty Images

With the Panthers offseason underway and free agency just a few weeks away, let’s take a look at some of the areas on the roster that Dan Morgan and Brandt Tillis have to address this offseason. Instead of looking at the entire roster, we are going to break the list down by position group. For the projected market value, I’ll be using Spotrac’s numbers. If you don’t agree with how much a player might get in free agency, take it up with them, not me. This week’s focus will be on the wide receivers.

2025 Performance​

We’re going to take a look at quarterbacks and running backs in this piece since both positions only have a few guys on the roster. Quarterbacks were a mixed bag, largely due to Bryce Young’s inconsistency. Young ended the season with a 71.0 overall PFF grade, which is solid if unspectacular and a slight dip from his 74.0 in 2024. What really surprised me was Bryce’s league-leading 99.7 PFF grade on throws of 20+ yards. This is likely due to a combination of small sample size and Bryce having Tetairoa McMillan on the outside whom he can trust. Still, Bryce set a career low with just 6.4 intended air yards per attempt (basically aDOT whether it was completed or not), so he wasn’t taking very many deep shots regardless of how well he performed on them. Young also threw for career-highs in completion percentage (63.6), yards (3,011), touchdowns (23) and passer rating (87.8). Backup Andy Dalton only saw the field in five games, including his Week 8 start against the Bills when Young was injured. Dalton struggled in that game and was underwhelming in his other situational snaps.

The running back room was a completely different story. Chuba Hubbard got off to a slow start due to nagging injuries, and Rico Dowdle stepped up big time. Dowdle eclipsed a thousand yards for the season, largely aided by back to back 180+ yard games on the ground. His effectiveness did trend downward as the season went on, probably due to a variety of factors like Chuba’s health improving and the offensive line dealing with injuries. Speaking of Chuba, most of his higher quality games were later in the season, though both backs struggled overall the last few weeks of the season. PFF was not kind to either of the Panthers main backs, grading Hubbard at 69.9 overall and Dowdle at 63.5 overall.

Panthers’ Free Agents (with Spotrac expected market value)​

Rico Dowdle, RB ($6.5M)

Rico has made it pretty clear that he is interested in joining a team that will give him the lion’s share of carries. With Chuba Hubbard being a team centerpiece on the field and in the locker room, and considering the young talented players Jonathon Brooks and Trevor Etienne both returning (hopefully fully healthy) next season, it looks unlikely that the Panthers would be able to guarantee that type of commitment. In true “prove it” deal fashion, Dowdle made himself a ton of money and will move on to another team.

Other Teams’ Free Agents (with Spotrac expected market value)​

Breece Hall, New York Jets ($10.4M)
Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks ($9.0M)
Tyler Allgeier, Atlanta Falcons ($1.85M)
Miles Sanders, Dallas Cowboys ($1.75M)

Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts ($43.4M)
Zach Wilson, Miami Dolphins ($1.63M)
Trey Lance, Los Angeles Chargers ($1.43M)

The Panthers likely won’t address either position in free agency since they’re only likely to lose Dowdle. The rest of the crew is under contract for next season, so unless they feel the need to move on from Andy Dalton or one of the young running backs, we’ll likely only see a late round flyer on either position if either is addressed at all. Still, there are some intriguing options. Obviously Hall and Walker III are off the table, but a familiar foe in Allgeier or a former friend in Miles Sanders could be some nice depth and insurance for Brooks in the event he isn’t fully healthy.

From a quarterback perspective, I don’t know why anyone would pay Daniel Jones that much money. Still, a still young-ish veteran backup like Zach Wilson or Trey Lance would be cheap options to back up Bryce Young over a longer term than Dalton. A post-June 1st cut of Dalton would save about $2M in cap space, but that’s what the team would be spending on one of these free agent QBs, so the logic just isn’t there. If they want to take a flyer on a guy like Lance as the practice squad/third string QB, fine, but it would not make sense to replace Dalton this season.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...thers-roster-holes-in-the-offensive-backfield

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Potential cap casualties that could help the Panthers offense

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 08: General manager Dan Morgan of the Carolina Panthers looks on prior to the NFL Preseason 2025 game against the Cleveland Browns at Bank of America Stadium on August 08, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Carolina Panthers enter the 2026 offseason with plenty of cap space and pretty easy means to make even more. They have a quarterback on a rookie contract, which is prime time to spend a bunch of money on a supporting cast. Other teams are not so fortunate. There are going to be a lot of tough decisions being made around the league where not-bad players are going to get cut purely for the cap savings. The Panthers can pounce on some of those free agents to bolster their offensive group. Here are a few names to look out for.

Colby Parkinson, TE, Rams​

Sean McVay used his offensive genius guru mind games and did this crazy thing where he adapted his scheme to his personnel in 2025, a foreign concept to many NFL minds. After operating almost exclusively out of three wide receiver sets for many years, he pivoted to a lot of three tight end groupings to capitalize on the team’s depth at the position. But that means the Rams are at a bit of a roster crunch at the position. Tyler Higbee is a free agent, so the team may simply let him walk and keep Parkinson and Terrance Ferguson. But if they bring Higbee back on a cheaper deal and want to chase some big fish in free agency, they can $7 million by releasing Parkinson.

Parkinson would immediately be the best tight end on the Panthers roster and add another reliable intermediate target for Bryce Young. And we’ve already seen him have success in Bank of America Stadium.

Jonnu Smith, TE, Steelers​

Sticking with the tight end position, Smith seems a more likely cut than Parkinson. The Steelers took a shot trading for Smith to create a one-two punch with Pat Freiermeuth. That never really panned out, and Darnell Washington ate into a fair share of snaps as well. The Steelers are currently on the hook for $22 million in cap charges for Freirmeuth and Smith, which is too much for their production, especially when Washington is a fine TE2 and outpaced Smith in production last year.

Smith is just one year removed from a breakout season with the Dolphins where he tallied 884 yards and eight touchdowns on 88 catches. He’s just 30 years old, so it’s not like that talent completely evaporated. Like Parkinson, Jonnu would immediately step in as the Panthers best tight end and bring some real pop to that position.

Darnell Mooney, WR, Falcons​

Fun fact: if nothing changes, Mooney would go into next season carrying the largest cap hit among Falcons wide receivers. He’s due to count over $18 million against the cap, and the Falcons could save nearly $12 million by designating him a post-June 1 cut. Should he hit the market, he’d fit the bill of wide receiver that the Panthers are looking for to complete their room. He’s popped off as a deep threat at points during his career, though he’s been inconsistent. A change of scenery could do him good, and he’d add some variety to a Panthers receiver room that currently features a bunch of tall, long guys.

Tank Dell, WR, Texans​

This would feel kinda mean given that Dell has spent the past year and a half rehabbing from a catastrophic knee injury he suffered during the 2024 season, but the Texans have built up their wide receiver group in his absence. They have Nico Collins and used two draft picks on Iowa State wide receivers that were pretty good as rookies. There might just not be room for Dell, and the cap squeezed Texans can save a couple million by releasing him. If Dell can get back to health, he’d be a great fit as a young, speedy deep threat to complement the big bodies the Panthers currently have manning the position.

Elgton Jenkins, C/G, Packers​

The Panthers are pretty good along the offensive line when healthy, but if there is a question mark, it’s at the center position. Jenkins carries a massive $24 million cap hit this offseason, and the Packers, who are hurting for cap space, could reclaim the vast majority of that if they release him. His play dipped last season, but he has been a Pro Bowler twice. Should he come at a reasonable price, he could be a nice acquisition to compete at center or provide insurance for Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...that-could-help-the-carolina-panthers-offense

 

[Carolina Panthers]

The Scratching Post: 2/16-2/20

Greetings, internet users. Welcome to The Scratching Post and the new year.

Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.

You know the drill.

This is now an open thread

Join the conversation!​

Sign up for a user account and get:

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Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/the-scratching-post/58158/the-scratching-post-2-16-2-20

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Potential cap casualties that could help the Panthers defense

Oct 5, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan on the field before the gsme at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

On Thursday, we looked at some players that are candidates for release from their current teams that could be good targets for the Carolina Panthers. Admittedly, the pickings were a little slim on the offensive side of the ball. However, there are some spicier options on the defensive end that are more likely to be released and would be bigger difference makers on the side of the ball where the Panthers probably need more talent. Let’s dig into some names, starting one that’s already been released.

Bradley Chubb, Edge, Dolphins​

The Dolphins got an early start on cleaning their cap sheet by releasing Chubb and Tyreek Hill several weeks before the start of free agency. Chubb is coming off a season in which he tallied 8.5 sacks one year after missing the entire season with a torn ACL. He’s good at both defending the run and getting to the quarterback, which is exactly what the Panthers need. Unfortunately, it’s what just about every team needs, so the Panthers are going to have quite a lot of competition for Chubb’s services should they choose to pursue them.

Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Bears​

The Bears would save $15 million against their cap by releasing Edmunds. They’re over the cap to start the offseason, so they’ll be looking for avenues to save significant room. Edmunds is a good player, and he’s still just 27 (soon to be 28) years old. He’s just not worth the $17 million the Bears would owe him should he stay on the roster. The Panthers basically have no linebackers, so landing an above average player at that position that can stay on the field and force some turnovers would be a huge boost to this defense. He should be high on the priority list should he become available.

Malik Hooker, S, Cowboys​

The Cowboys are way over the cap going into the offseason, so they’re going to have to make a lot of decisions and move a lot of people to get their books in order. That makes Hooker a prime candidate for release. His release would save the Cowboys $6 million with no dead money beyond this season. The Panthers need a safety to pair with Tre’von Moehrig almost as badly as they need a linebacker to play linebacker. Hooker is a more traditional free safety that Panthers fans have been hopelessly yearning for for several years. He’d be a nice complement to Moehrig’s more thumping style and add to an already formidable Panthers secondary.

Jonathan Greenard, Edge, Vikings​

The Vikings have the worst cap situation in the league as it stands right now. They’re going to have to release some guys. Greenard is almost certainly going to be one of them. The Vikings would save nearly $19 million if they designate him a post-June 1 cut. He’s coming off a down season and already has void years on the back end of his contract. It’ll be really, really hard for Minnesota to keep him. Greenard is soon to be 29 and is just one year removed from back to back 12 sack seasons. If he can regain that form after coming off a shoulder injury, he’d be a great get for the Carolina defense.

Drue Tranquill, LB, Chiefs​

The Chiefs are in a weird spot relative to what we’ve come to expect from them. Patrick Mahomes is coming off a torn ACL, and the team is over the cap. It’s a good spot for them to do a little reset. Tranquill will be 31 when next season starts, so while he has become a mainstay in Kansas City, the Chiefs could elect to go younger and cheaper at the position as they rebuild their roster. He wouldn’t be a longterm solution at linebacker, but the Panthers need all the help they can get at the position, even if it’s just for a year or two. Tranquill is still a very good player and would be a great plug and play option at that spot.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...sualties-that-could-help-the-panthers-defense

 

[Carolina Panthers]

CSR Weekend Warriors: 2/20-2/22

Greetings, Panthers fans. Welcome to the weekend.

Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.

You know the drill.

This is now an open thread

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/the-scratching-post/58219/csr-weekend-warriors-2-20-2-22

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Brian Answers: Sharing responses on Bradley Chubb, salary cap, and more!

Aug 2, 2025; Charlottle, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen (19) during Fanfest at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Hello CSR! Welcome to Brian Answers, part two of your weekly Panthers fan mailbag for everyone! The questions from fans this week took a bit of a back seat, which is understandable given we are in the dead period between the Super Bowl and Free Agency/the Combine. So, I answered some questions, and highlighted some fan responses with my thoughts to this week’s question. Let’s dive in!

KeepPounding88: How will we fulfill Rev’s wish of getting Arch Manning on the team next year?

It would probably require either the Panthers to completely implode or for Arch Manning to have another disappointing season. At least for the former, the Panthers are probably due for a horrific season after making the playoffs, even if they didn’t have a winning record.

Panthers75: How did the Panthers still end up with Thielens contract on the books for 2026? We traded the player and not the contract? I was under the assumption that the contract went with the player.

I don’t know all the details, but the Panthers aren’t on the hook for his entire contract. They show a dead cap hit of $3.3 million for 2026 per Overthecap. Most likely, that’s a combination of them redoing his deal during the 2025 off-season to bring him back and then trading him (post June 1st, so the cap hits are different). Teams also tend to negotiate the contract during trades, I believe he had taken a pay cut to go back to the Vikings. The Panthers may have been on the hook for some guarantees as a result.

And here were some of your responses to the question of the week; should the Panthers sign Bradley Chubb?

storybook: PFF graded Chubb similarly to DJ Wonnum, but Chubb got 20 more pressures and 5.5 more sacks.

Dcangio09: Should Carolina sign Bradley Chubb? That’s a loaded question. Will it impact them trying to sign guys like Devin Lloyd? If so, then I say no. He’s an absolute upgrade over Wonnum (most guys would be), but Chubb is gonna be 30 years old this season and already not that great. He’d mostly be a 1 maybe 2 year mid stop gap if he could be had cheaply. That being said this draft could have edge as BPA in both the 1st, 2nd and 3rd for Carolina. With how good this draft is at edge in the top 3 rounds, I’m less inclined to wanna spend money on an old declining vet. Take advantage of the drafts strengths. Bring in better and younger free agents at other positions of need.

Vashti2112: Nah. Just gives me George Seifert-era vibes – old ragged-around-the-edges big names. I’d be more interested in seeing what it would take to get Maxx Crosby – probably too much, but he’s been a lot more productive than Chubb. And a lot healthier.

@WTMealey: I’m not mad if the price is right. The goal is to give ourselves more options in the draft. This seems to be a situation where Name>talent at this point so as long as we’re not chasing something that isn’t there. I trust the brains to realize what is a reasonable offer and let it happen or not.

pcroadrage: Id be interested to see what the price for Chubb and Hendrickson end up being. If either can be had for a reasonable price, im all for it. As for the Crosby talk, id like to have him, but the price will be too high. We aren’t a edge rusher away from a SB and cant dump ALL of our resources into that. Id still like to see us sign a TE then hit the draft for BPAs (hopefully a LB somewhere in the first 3 rounds)

Chef: Not interested in Chubb. I’d much rather continue to add pieces through the draft and allow guys to develop. I know our pass-rush numbers were pathetic, but I don’t think it’s as dire a situation as most seem to believe. I feel good about Scourton, Jones, Umanmielen, ect moving forward.

Kinetikat: Should the Panthers sign Bradley Chubb? Depends on the price. I’d take a flier on him on a prove it 1 year contract but the likelihood he’d go for less than $5m on a one year is… super small. So I guess I am functionally a no

packpowerfan: He isn’t rookie, pre-injury Chubb anymore. But man he’d be juice to the lineup over Wonnum (bar so low it appeared in the Upside Down). Price is a major issue, but I trust this FO to manage the cap well enough to avoid stepping on the dreaded landmine contract. Whether that means signing Chubb or not.

CSR fans appear to be mixed but leaning against signing Bradley Chubb as a whole. While I’d be intrigued to add someone Ejiro Evero had familiarity with, they did trade him away in the final year Evero was in Denver as the defensive coordinator. Most fans do appear to be concerned with price, unfortunately as Bull123 pointed out, many free agent contracts would be considered overpaying for a player. That’s because they’ve hit the open market, and are no longer negotiating with the team that currently employs them. Time will tell what the Panthers do, but they need an edge rusher, on top of several other needs they should address in the Draft. I for one, am not against the signing, but it could be expensive.

Join us next week for another edition of the weekly mailbag!

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...esponses-on-bradley-chubb-salary-cap-and-more

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Carolina Panthers fan discussion: Where in the world are our Cat Scratch Reader readers?

Nov 27, 2022; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers mascot Sir Purr revs up the home crowd against the Denver Broncos during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

We’re in that slow period between the Super Bowl and the new league year where it sometimes feels like the NFL world has ground to a halt. And that makes it a perfect time to ask: Where in the world are our Cat Scratch Reader readers?

We don’t want or need your address or any personal details — sharing just the state is fine, or city and state if you’d like to be more specific. Same thing if you live abroad – if you’d like to just share the country, that’s cool, and if you want to share more details like the city or region, that’s totally up to you.

Join the conversation!​

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And now it’s your turn to scroll down to the comments and let us know where you are! We’ll update this list as locations are shared.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...n/58224/fan-survey-location-census-discussion

 

[Carolina Panthers]

The Scratching Post: 2/23-2/27

Greetings, internet users. Welcome to The Scratching Post and the new year.

Feel free to use this thread to chat about (almost) anything you want: video games, food, movies, non-football sports, you name it. As long as it’s allowed by the site’s ToS, it’s fair game here.

You know the drill.

This is now an open thread

Join the conversation!​

Sign up for a user account and get:

• Fewer ads
• Create community posts
• Comment on articles, community posts
• Rec comments, community posts
• New, improved notifications system!

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/the-scratching-post/58220/the-scratching-post-2-23-2-27

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Carolina Panthers 2026 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Caleb Banks

Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks (88) causes a fumble as he strips the ball from LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (13) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, November 16, 2024. The Gators defeated the Tigers 27-16. [Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun] | Doug Engle/Gainesville Sun / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Now that we are past the Super Bowl, we look ahead toward the 2026 NFL Draft. This weekly series will take a closer look at some of the prospects the Carolina Panthers could select in the 2026 iteration of the Draft. In this series, we’ll only be looking at prospects the Panthers could seriously consider. This week our profile will focus on Florida Gators defensive lineman Caleb Banks.

Bio​

After being overlooked following a very good high school career, Banks committed to Louisville and redshirted his freshman year. An uninspiring tenure with the Cardinals led to Banks transferring to Florida, where he almost immediately began to flourish. He broke out in his redshirt junior season, notching 4.5 sacks and 29 quarterback pressures. Banks returned to the Gators for his redshirt senior season, but nagging injuries limited his availability throughout the year. Banks was invited to the Senior Bowl, where he dominated, hopefully proving that he is completely healthy.

Strengths/Weaknesses​

Banks is close to the type of defensive tackle you would build in a lab. He’s every bit of 6’6” and 330 lbs. In addition to his intimidating size, Banks also has insane athleticism. His burst off the line and fluidity when rushing the passer are on the same level as some of the best edge defenders who weigh 50 to 75 pounds less. That athleticism also allowed positional versatility, as Florida lined Banks up everywhere from nose to wide nine. Banks showed flashes of dominance and game-wrecking potential, including a two game stretch in 2024 where he totaled 14 quarterback pressures against LSU and Ole Miss.

The biggest knock on Banks has been consistency. His sack production has not lived up to the athletic traits, and his nagging injuries have led to some availability concerns moving forward. Lower leg injury history on guys his size is concerning for some teams. Banks also struggles with processing and technique at times. His tackling technique gets problematic, especially when gassed, and his pass rush arsenal is limited at best.

Projection​

Banks is starting to get some first round buzz, especially after a dominant Senior Bowl performance. He’s the ultimate high ceiling, low floor prospect. By all accounts, he is coachable and has a fantastic motor. Teams may see that potential and willingness to learn as a precursor to Banks eventually reaching his potential. He probably won’t be able to man the nose at the NFL level, but using him as a three technique pass rusher could see him have some instant impact on Sundays. Similar to Peter Woods, where Banks gets drafted depends on where teams land on the boom versus bust calculation, ranging from the middle of the first round to the middle of day two.

The Panthers desperately need pass rush, and whether it comes from the edge position or the interior should not matter. Banks is the type of player who could feast off one-on-one opportunities as teams prioritize blocking Derrick Brown. He has also shown the ability to anchor against the run when not tired, and Ejiro Evero loves to rotate his hog mollies. Banks could provide some pass rush spark, and his frame would make it tough for opposing quarterbacks to see the field with him bearing down on them. If A’Shawn Robinson is a cap casualty for the Panthers, Banks could step into that role.

What do you think, Panthers fans? If Caleb Banks is available when the Panthers select in the 2026 NFL Draft, should they take him? Sound off in the comments!

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...s-2026-nfl-draft-prospect-profile-caleb-banks

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Ask Brian: It’s Combine Time!

Feb 6, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper on the Pat McAfee Show set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Hello CSR! Welcome to Ask Brian, part one of your weekly Panthers fan mailbag for everyone! We’re inching closer to the fun parts of the off-season, the free agency period and then the 2026 NFL Draft! The Panthers have a lot of needs to address in order to push for the playoffs once again in 2026, hopefully this time with a winning record. We’re now to the point where we get to watch all the prospects show their physical prowess, as we hyper analyze things like the 40 yard dash, bench press, and other various drills.

You all know the routine, comment down below with all your questions, whether they be Panthers related, football related, or even completely off topic! I’ll answers your questions and highlight some of the best parts of your discussions later on in the week in part two of the mailbag, Brian Answers.

Comment down below with all your questions. KEEP POUNDING!

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/carolina-panthers-rumors/58257/ask-brian-its-combine-time

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Rising Stars: Offensive contributors

PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - DECEMBER 8: Jonathon Brooks #24 of the Carolina Panthers in action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on December 8, 2024 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The final two entries of the Rising Stars of the Carolina Panthers series will be dedicated to the players on each side of the football who, while compelling in their own way, have not quite done enough to qualify as a ‘star’. Those who have had an eyebrow-raising game or two, but for one reason or another, their career has left a lot of unanswered questions.

Mitchell Evans and JT Sanders | Tight End​

While both Evans and Sanders could have their own dedicated section, their story in the NFL so far and why they don’t qualify as a rising star are too similar not to bunch together. First and foremost, the tight end position is notoriously a difficult position for players to shine in during the first handful of years in the NFL. Both Day 3 draft picks from the previous two drafts, there is no shame in these two not already having a breakout season. Each player has had their moments where they look like they could be a long-term contributor to a productive offense, but it doesn’t look like NFL stardom is likely.

Of the two, Evans is the more steady player that looks to be where he should be when he’s expected to be there. No more, but thankfully no less. Evans doesn’t excel in anyone area, but can be fill in wherever he’s needed – even at quarterback.

Meanwhile, Sanders’ trajectory has been a bit of a roller coaster. Prior to a concussion versus the Kansas City Chiefs in his rookie year, Sanders had a stretch of making phenomenal plays, especially in contested catch situations. Since then, his production has been underwhelming. After receiving a fair bit of offseason hype, his 2025 season left many wanting more. Here’s hoping he can be a bit of a post-hype sleeper for the Panthers in 2026.

Jonathon Brooks | Running Back​

After trading back in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Panthers loved Brooks enough to trade up a few spots to ensure they could secure his services – despite the young back still rehabbing a torn ACL from his final season in college. He would only get 23 snaps in his rookie year before re-tearing the same ACL and missing out on the final month of the 2024 season and his entire 2025 season.

Jonathon Brooks has been marinating… https://t.co/DjrcBGJP1z pic.twitter.com/Q74VTesYCi

— Justin Dolloff (@JustinDolloff) February 13, 2026

However, those 23 snaps were really something in such a limited sample. Still only 22 years old, Brooks looked explosive and talented in his brief appearance and has done just enough to generate some cautious optimism regarding his future. Fingers crossed that nearly 21 months of rehab, recovery, and sitting in RB team meetings will have the former top 50 draft pick ready to make his mark.

Xavier Legette | Wide Receiver​

Legette’s career thus far has been incredibly frustrating, and that’s putting it lightly. While being an likable personality to root for, the on-field mistakes occur far too often and are far too costly to justify continued playing time. Dropping catchable passes, awkward body catch attempts that negate the ability for YAC, near zero sideline awareness, the mistakes stand out like a sore thumb.

Yet, he sports a 6’1, 220lb frame that can hit 4.39 40 yard dash and gets open more often than he gets credit for. Legette has exemplary moments, like winning 1-on-1 against a defensive player of the year cornerback, but the low points of his game make it hard to justify playing time, especially when the likes of Jalen Coker were sitting behind him waiting for an opportunity. Legette still has the luxury of being a first round pick, so he’ll get more time than most young players to prove his worth. The clock is ticking, though.

He's definitely still raw, but there are Xavier Legette flashes. Man coverage TD vs. Surtain isn't easy. pic.twitter.com/Q6k5TwJMPH

— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) October 28, 2024

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...e-contributors-jonathon-brooks-xavier-legette

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Adding Teeth to the Bite: Panthers Roster Holes on the Interior Defensive Line

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - OCTOBER 12: Bobby Brown III #97 and A'Shawn Robinson #94 of the Carolina Panthers look on during the NFL 2025 game against the Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium on October 12, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) | Getty Images

With the Panthers offseason underway and free agency just a few weeks away, let’s take a look at some of the areas on the roster that Dan Morgan and Brandt Tillis have to address this offseason. Instead of looking at the entire roster, we are going to break the list down by position group. For the projected market value, I’ll be using Spotrac’s numbers. If you don’t agree with how much a player might get in free agency, take it up with them, not me. This week’s focus will be on the wide receivers.

2025 Performance​

As usual, Derrick Brown was the best interior defensive lineman for the Panthers last season. Brown set a career high with six sacks, which helped him earn a 72.9 overall grade according to PFF. A’Shawn Robinson, who may be a cap casualty this year, was also solid for the defense and managed a 63.7 overall grade. The next highest snap total for the Panthers defensive line was actually Tershawn Wharton despite his injury issues. His limited availability likely led to his subpar performance (43 overall grade), which was especially disappointing considering he was one of the premier free agent acquisitions last offseason. Bobby Brown III was the final main rotation piece at interior defensive line, and he was okay.

The remaining interior lineman who logged defensive snaps were rookie Cam Jackson, LaBryan Ray, and Jaden Crumedy. None of those players made huge impacts in their limited snaps, and Crumedy was even stolen off the Panthers practice squad by the Packers. While Jackson showed some promise, I don’t think he should be relied on to play meaningful snaps on defense next season.

Panthers’ Free Agents (with Spotrac expected market value)​

LaBryan Ray (RFA)

Ray is the only interior defensive lineman the Panthers could lose this offseason, though they can tender a contract and then match any offer made by another team. Basically, if they want Ray back he will likely be back.

Other Teams’ Free Agents (with Spotrac expected market value)​

Calais Campbell, Arizona Cardinals ($10.9M)
Logan Hall, Tampa Bay ($7.98M)
Roy Lopez, Detroit Lions ($6.36M)
DJ Reader, Detroit Lions ($3.87M)
Shy Tuttle, Washington Commanders ($1.95M)
DaQuan Jones, Buffalo Bills ($1.78M)

If the Panthers decide to keep both A’Shawn Robinson and LaBryan Ray, I don’t see them adding to this position group in free agency. Losing either or both of those players would create a need to at least kick the tires on some of these lower cost players, though the Panthers also really like Jared Harrison-Hunte and will likely want to get him on the field more in 2026. Campbell will likely finish his career in Arizona, and the Panthers don’t have the cap space to spend that much on what would be a luxury free agent addition considering the team’s other needs. If the team wants to save money by cutting Robinson, I could see them bringing in one of the former Panthers on a much cheaper contract.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...s-roster-holes-on-the-interior-defensive-line

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Panthers Reacts: Full season confidence results

Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Carolina Panthers coach Dave Canales speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Now that the dust has settled on the 2025 NFL season, it’s time to take a look at the results of those weekly confidence surveys we had y’all take throughout the season. It was a season of ups and downs across the league and at home for the Carolina Panthers and that is well reflected in the data.

First, let’s take a look at how Panthers fans fared compared to the rest of the NFC South. The Panthers famously defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, and New Orleans Saints in a tight, technically competitive race for the NFC South crown. That result was a surprise to many in the Carolinas, but let’s see how the race looked across the division.

View Link

This looks about right to me. The Panthers rough start rocked their fanbase for a few weeks. Their recovery was slow, but did trend upwards overall as did fan confidence. The Bucs, favorites to win the division, saw their fan confidence fall off of a cliff over a series of injuries and never really recovered. You love to see it. Meanwhile the Saints really think they have something in quarterback Tyler Shough and head coach Kellen Moore. We’ll see if having a second-year quarterback and a head coach who were born in the same year (plus or minus 11 years) works out for them next year.

Of course, that only accounts for the Panthers competition on paper. As the reigning NFC South champions and the only NFC South team to have competed in a playoff game in the last calendar year, the Panthers can well be expected to repeat that level of success in perpetuity. So how did their fan confidence across the season compare against the NFC playoff field? I’m glad you (I) asked.

View Link

The Bears definitely exceeded their expectations in 2025. So happy for them. Otherwise, things are as expected. A couple of teams effectively met expectations, a couple teams fell short, and the Seahawks won the Super Bowl. If the Panthers make this graph again next season then I see two scenarios for where they land. One, they hit a higher confidence number at the end of the season because they did well enough to make back-to-back playoff appearances. That would be a definite sign of progress. Two, fan confidence drops after another roller coaster season that sees the NFC South crown a champion with a losing record for a second season in a row.

Which scenario sounds more likely to you?

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/general/58283/panthers-reacts-full-season-confidence-results

 

[Carolina Panthers]

Five potential Panthers targets to watch at the NFL Combine

Feb 24, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan speaks at the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Football is back. After a hefty two week break, the NFL is headlining the sports world once again. Teams are congregating in Indianapolis to watch a bunch of college kids run and jump and go through drills to add another data point to their scouting profiles. Every year, we talk about how film trumps measurables, but every year several players post measurables that seem to have rather significant impacts on their viability as prospects, both good and bad. We’ll look at a few players that are projected to go around the Panthers’ picks that could be worth monitoring.

Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon​

Tight end is probably the most obvious hole on the offense right now, and Kenyon Sadiq is getting some buzz in the middle of the first round around where the Panthers will be picking. He was pretty productive at Oregon, but he’s expected to blow people away should he go through physical testing. He’s a shredded 6’3”, 245 pounds and is expected to post speed and explosiveness numbers that will rival those of wide receivers. He’s got some rawness to his game, but the physical traits might be too juicy to ignore.

Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn​

Faulk looks the part of an NFL defensive end. He’s 6’6” and 270 pounds with long arms. However, he only tallied two sacks last season at Auburn. Still, he’s seen by many as a potential first round pick, and he can solidify that with measurables that match the hype. He’s only 20 years old and is apparently a great culture guy. If he can post some elite athletic numbers, somebody is going to convince themselves that there’s no way he fails. The Panthers need help getting to the quarterback, so while he may not be a perfect fit in Ejiro Evero’s scheme, Carolina could be intrigued.

R Mason Thomas, Edge, Oklahoma​

Thomas posted decent production his last two seasons in Norman, but he’s getting dinged as a prospect because of his size and length. The Panthers are missing any sort of real explosiveness off the edge, and if nothing else, Thomas has shown that trait on tape. He should test really well, which is going to reinforce the idea that he can be a disruptive force despite his size.

Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech​

Rodriguez was the most productive linebacker in this class, finishing last season with 128 tackles, four interceptions, and seven forced fumbles. Still, there are some questions that tend to follow players of his ilk regarding his speed and agility. The production and the motor are there. Solid testing numbers could bump up his stock and put him in play for a Panthers pick on day two. Carolina badly needs a linebacker that can make some plays and cause some disruption. Rodriguez did that in spades at Texas Tech, and he can prove that he has the athletic chops to translate that to the NFL.

Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State​

The Panthers have invested significant draft capital into the wide receiver position in recent years, so it might be frustrating to see them dip into that well again, but Thompson is a different kind of animal. The Panthers top three wide receivers are all big targets that aren’t the twitchiest. A burner WR3 would really add some diversity to the group. Thompson is widely expected to clock the fastest time in the class. He has some warts, but if he runs in the 4.2s like some people expect, it’d be hard to ignore that should he be available in the third round.

Source: https://www.catscratchreader.com/ca...-panthers-targets-to-watch-at-the-nfl-combine