Panthers OTA storylines: Eager to see what free-agent additions bring to defense

AFC EastBillsDolphinsJetsPatriotsAFC NorthBengalsBrownsRavensSteelersAFC SouthColtsJaguarsTexansTitansAFC WestBroncosChargersChiefsRaidersNFC EastCommandersCowboysEaglesGiantsNFC NorthBearsLionsPackersVikingsNFC SouthBuccaneersFalconsPanthersSaintsNFC West49ersCardinalsRamsSeahawksScores & ScheduleStandingsFantasyNFL OddsNFL PicksNFL DraftPodcastsNFL Newsletter2026 NFL ScheduleMust-Watch GamesWin Projections2027 NFL Free AgentsAnalysisPanthers OTA storylines: Eager to see what free-agent additions bring to defenseThe Panthers made Jaelan Phillips the highest-paid player in franchise history with the expectation that he'll make their pass rush much better. Eric Hartline / Imagn Images Share articleCHARLOTTE, N.C. — It’s been 19 weeks since the Carolina Panthers last stepped on the practice field, at least for drills with 11-on-11 segments that looked like actual football. When the Panthers were preparing to face the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round, they did so with a defense that featured Christian Rozeboom and Claudin Cherelus as the starting linebackers and included D.J. Wonnum as a first-team edge rusher. Rico Dowdle started at running back, but finished with just six touches for 15 yards in the 34-31 loss to the Rams. Dowdle told reporters the next day he wanted to go to a team where he’d get the bulk of the carries. Two months later, he signed with Pittsburgh, where he’ll share the backfield with Jaylen Warren. A lot can change over an NFL offseason. While most of the Panthers’ depth chart remains the same, some new faces will be competing for key spots, beginning next week when Phase 3 of organized team activities cranks up. The Athletic looks at six storylines to watch during OTAs. Free agency started with a bang when general manager Dan Morgan signed two of the top players on the market in outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips and off-ball linebacker Devin Lloyd. The two additions should further elevate a defense that improved from the NFL’s worst in 2024 to one that finished in the middle of the pack in total defense and points allowed last season. The Panthers made Phillips the highest-paid player in franchise history with a four-year, $120 million contract, a high price for a player who hasn’t notched more than seven sacks since his rookie season. Morgan and Dave Canales are betting that Phillips’ pressure rate will result in more production for everyone after the Panthers tied for 30th in 2025 with 30 sacks. Lloyd, a three-down player who will be utilized in the blitz packages, should also help the sack total. Morgan sought to improve the trenches this offseason by augmenting both the offensive and defensive lines. He didn’t count on losing defensive tackle Turk Wharton, who is out indefinitely after undergoing neck surgery this month. Wharton was one of the team’s big acquisitions in 2025, signing a three-year, $45 million deal as the fallback option after the Panthers missed out on Milton Williams, but he missed eight games due to injury and is now sidelined again. Fortunately, the Panthers traded up in the second round to take Texas Tech defensive lineman Lee Hunter before knowing about Wharton’s neck discomfort, according to Canales. The 6-3, 318-pound Hunter, mostly a run-stuffer in college, immediately becomes an important piece on Ejiro Evero’s defense until Wharton returns. The Panthers have drafted two first- or second-day wide receivers since taking Xavier Legette with the last pick of the first round in 2024. Tetairoa McMillan became the Panthers’ top wideout the minute he arrived as a top-10 pick, then proceeded to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. Jalen Coker, an undrafted free agent from Holy Cross, then passed Legette last season as WR2. Now it’s fair to question whether Legette can hold on to the WR3 spot after Morgan selected Tennessee wideout Chris Brazzell in the third round and took a flier on John Metchie, who had a 1,100-yard receiving season with Bryce Young at Alabama in 2021 but has yet to find his footing in the NFL. The eternally optimistic Canales still seems bullish on Legette figuring things out, but a disappointing start to the season could land him on the trading block by October. Given Canales’ comments and the Panthers’ cautious approach with him after his first ACL surgery, it’s safe to assume Jonathon Brooks will be brought along slowly from his second ACL procedure on his right knee during OTAs and minicamp. Brooks hasn’t played in a game since December 2024, when he went down on a non-contact play at Philadelphia. He had shown flashes of the quickness and elusiveness that moved Morgan to use a second-round pick on him. With Dowdle gone, there’s an opportunity for Brooks to claim the RB2 job behind Chuba Hubbard. OTAs will mark the start of a methodical ramp-up for the former Texas back, with important, physical tests to come this summer. Morgan received high marks for signing veteran Rasheed Walker to a team-friendly contract (one year, $4 million) as a stopgap solution at left tackle while Ikem Ekwonu recovers from patellar tendon surgery. Then Morgan drafted Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling with the 19th pick, creating one of the more intriguing training camp competitions. Some draft analysts suggested Freeling could use some seasoning after starting just 17 games at Georgia. And the Panthers have that luxury if they believe Walker, who had 48 starts over the past three seasons with Green Bay, is the better choice initially to protect Young’s blind side. But Freeling could force his way into the Week 1 plans if he shows up well in one-on-one pass-blocking drills against Phillips, Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen, in addition to his performance in preseason games. Nearly 900 words in, there have only been a couple of references to Young and the QB position. That’s because while the Panthers’ QB room has undergone significant change, there’s not much new regarding Young as he enters his fourth season. While the Panthers’ decision-makers weigh Young’s future beyond his rookie deal, the No. 1 pick from 2023 will be working with a new backup for the first time after the Panthers signed Kenny Pickett and traded Andy Dalton to Philadelphia. The Panthers also brought in Charlotte native Will Grier and undrafted free agent Haynes King to compete for the third quarterback spot. More importantly, Young will be working with a new play caller after Canales turned over those duties to offensive coordinator Brad Idzik, who can start putting his spin on things next week. Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms