In 2024, the Carolina Panthers would leave the season with the NFL’s worst defense due to poor play, but more importantly the injury bug. Coming into the season, the Panthers had Pro Bowl DT Derrick Brown preparing for a campaign for the ages, while also getting a Jaycee Horn return for the ages. Carolina instead walked into the season with Jaden Crumedy, Lamar Jackson, Jake Luton, Ian Thomas, and more on IR, before losing Brown in the week one loss to the New Orleans Saints, 10-47.
Ending that season, the Carolina Panthers would leave with the following defensive stats:
32nd in Points per game allowed with 31.4
32nd in Rush Yards allowed with 3,057
32nd in Rush Yards per game with 179.4
25th in Passing Yards allowed with 3,820
25th in Passing Yards per game with 224.7
32nd in Passing Touchdowns allowed with 35
31st in Rushing Touchdowns allowed with 24
29th in Defense Red Zone Touchdown Rate with 65.8%
32nd in Defensive Third Down Rate with 50.2%
29th in Sacks with 32
Carolina Transcending Free Agency
2025 was a massive year for the Carolina Panthers. With the past behind them, they brought in a massive culture shift by hiring Head Coach Dave Canales and Offensive Coordinator Brad Idzik to reform the offensive side of the ball while relying on Defensive Coordinator Ejiro Evero to turn the league-worst defense into one that can at least stop a nosebleed.
Committals on day one of free agency lend credence to the idea that the Carolina Panthers are going to finally eclipse 8 wins this year, signing 5 defensive players. The Carolina Panthers have acquired Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre’Von Moehrig, Minnesota Vikings edge Patrick Jones II, Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Bobby Brown III, and Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton. During this time, the team also committed long-term to Jaycee Horn on a record-breaking 4 year, 100 million dollar deal to keep the CB in Charlotte, while also resigning Center Austin Corbett, Tight End Tommy Tremble, Cornerback Mike Jackson, and Offensive Lineman Brady Christensen.
Now, the defense looks primed and ready for the 2025 NFL Draft, which will take place in just 43 days in Green Bay, Wisconsin. With Carolina on the clock with the number 8 pick, a few avenues are arising for the team, but here is my thought on the Draft, post-FA period.
Carolina is going to do big on the offensive side of the ball, and if WR Tetiroa McMillan is not on there, the next great wide receiver will be Emeka Ebuka, and adding on CB Trey Amos, and EDGE Bradyn Swinson, and finally Safety Kevin Winston Jr.
What are your thoughts on this Carolina mock? How did I do?