The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview book. 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 previews from Raymond Summerlin. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2025 Football Preview.
While offenses dominate NFL discussion, the other side of the ball plays a large role.
With the 2025 NFL season fast approaching, let's look at the defense of the Carolina Panthers and preview how it might perform this season.
2025 Carolina Panthers Defense
The Panthers were dreadful against the run in 2024, finishing dead last in yards per carry allowed to running backs (5.2) and yards before contact allowed on those carries (2.07).
Unsurprisingly, the defensive line was an area of focus in free agency, with the team adding both Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown in March.
Part of Carolina’s struggles last season can be explained by losing Derrick Brown to a knee injury in Week 1.
He is one of the best defensive linemen in the league when healthy, and he should be good to go for 2025.
Not only could the Panthers not stop the run, but they also could not get after the quarterback, finishing dead last in pressure rate.
They ranked 29th with just 32 sacks all season.
Jadeveon Clowney was released following the draft, where the Panthers added Nic Scourton in the second round and Princely Umanmielen in the third.
Carolina also has D.J. Wonnum, whose first season with the team was delayed after suffering complications in his recovery from a 2023 quad tear, but he logged 4 sacks in eight games with a 12.1% pressure rate.
Carolina also added Patrick Jones to the mix after his breakout, 7-sack season with the Vikings in 2024.
At linebacker, Josey Jewell only played 12 games in 2024, but he was a nearly every-snap player when healthy.
That will not be the case in 2025 after he was surprisingly cut in late July — he was reportedly still dealing with concussion symptoms.
A 2024 third-round pick, Trevin Wallace led the rest of the group in snaps last season but did not have a great go of it.
The Panthers added Christian Rozeboom in free agency, and that pair should form the starting duo.
Carolina could also look to add a veteran ahead of Week 1.
The lackluster pass rush did not help, but the Panthers allowed 7.6 yards per attempt (28th) and a league-worst 6.6% touchdown rate in 2024.
Jaycee Horn did manage to mostly stay on the field last season, playing in 15 games and earning a Pro Bowl nod.
He finished 17th among qualified corners in yards per coverage snap allowed, and he was rewarded with a big contract extension.
Mike Jackson was the other primary option last season and also got a new deal.
A 2024 fifth-round pick, Chau Smith-Wade worked as the primary slot guy at times last season, including a run of games toward the end of the year, and he had decent yards per snap numbers.
At safety, both Jordan Fuller and Xavier Woods are gone, and Tre’von Moehrig was one of the big additions early in free agency.
Moehrig was impactful against the run last season for the Raiders, finishing second among all defensive backs in run stuffs.
Both Demani Richardson and Nick Scott are back, though neither really stood out a season ago.
This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview
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