The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2026 Football Preview. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps, as well as defensive analysis from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2026 Football Preview.
With the 2026 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the Carolina Panthers and preview how it might perform this season.
Carolina Panthers 2026 Defense Preview: A Unit-by-Unit Breakdown
Carolina struggled to slow down running backs last season, allowing 4.6 yards per carry (24th) to the position and finishing 31st in yards allowed before contact per RB run. Derrick Brown remained a good player last year, but he did not make as many plays in the backfield in the running game, finishing with 7 run stuffs. Signed last offseason, Tershawn Wharton had a rough first season with the team and underwent offseason neck surgery. Carolina addressed their run defense with Lee Hunter in the second round.
The Panthers ranked 31st in pressure rate (29.6%) last season and 28th in sacks (30). It was not surprising, then, when they spent top-of-the-market money to sign Jaelan Phillips in free agency. Phillips finished fourth among qualified pass rushers in pressure rate (18.8%) last season despite logging just 5 sacks for the Eagles. Adding Phillips should take pressure off 2025 second-round pick Nic Scourton and 2025 third-round pick Princely Umanmielen.
Carolina made another splash by signing Devin Lloyd in free agency, the best off-ball linebacker available. The Panthers did not get great play out of their linebackers last season, something that should immediately get better with Lloyd in the fold. Trevin Wallace is the favorite to start opposite Lloyd, though his play through two seasons has left a lot to be desired.
Not helped by their pass rush, the Panthers allowed 7.2 yards per pass attempt (21st) and finished 23rd in EPA allowed per pass attempt last season. The Panthers have enough talent in the secondary to better those marks this season. Jaycee Horn is not coming off his best season, but he is a quality No. 1 option who has allowed 6.6 yards per target and a 76.8 quarterback rating in his coverage thus far in his career. Mike Jackson was active around the football last season, leading the league in passes defensed and allowing 7.1 yards per target.
The Panthers got what they hoped for out of safety Tre’von Moehrig in his first season with the team. He played a versatile role closer to the line of scrimmage, holding up well against the run and allowing just 5.9 yards per target in coverage. Nick Scott played the deep safety role, though he did not fare as well in coverage and only got a one-year, $2 million contract to re-sign. 2025 fourth-round pick Lathan Ransom earned 336 rookie snaps in the No. 3 role, recording a tackle on 20% of his run defense snaps.
This analysis continues in the 2026 Football Preview
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Warren Sharp’s 600+ page full-color PDF, the 2026 Football Preview, is unlike anything you have read. Stunning visualizations, including new heat maps and stat pages, are built with the reader in mind. Innovative, next-level thought processes abound in every team chapter and article.
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Warren Sharp's book shares insights into the players, coaches, teams, and philosophies with one goal: to prepare you for the 2026 NFL season with the smartest information delivered in the fastest, most direct way possible for optimal reviewing and retention.
- Team Chapters previews are in-depth, data-driven & full of actionable info
- Fantasy Football player profiles, predictions, and ranks
- Vegas Odds forecast team wins, division rankings, lines for all 2026 games
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- Rankings for every positional unit on every team with analysis
- Penalty analysis for all 32 NFL teams
