TheSpecialJuan

CB Michael Jackson, Carolina Panthers Last offseason, the Panthers re-signed Jackson to a contract that averages just $5.25 million across the two years of his deal, which ranks only 40th among cornerbacks. However, Jackson rewarded Carolina with an excellent season, as his 83.5 PFF overall grade was the third-best among cornerbacks across the entire year. More specifically, from Week 7 on, his 90.7 PFF overall grade led all players at the position, as did his 91.4 PFF coverage grade. In addition, he also allowed a passer rating of just 42.8 during this period, which paced all corners. Jackson capped off his 2025 campaign by being the best player on the field in Carolina’s wild-card loss to the Rams. On eight targets, he gave up just one reception while forcing four incompletions and recording an interception as well https://www.pff.com/news/biggest-free-agent-bargains-of-the-2025-nfl-season-sam-darnold-mike-jackson-and-more

RB Rico Dowdle, Carolina Panthers Dowdle signed a textbook example of a “prove-it” type of deal with Carolina during the 2025 offseason. The former Dallas Cowboys runner signed a one-year deal that was worth just $2.75 million, which ranked only 33rd among the annual average earnings of all running backs — essentially meaning that he was not paid as a starter for last season. However, that did not stop Dowdle from racking up the 14th-most rushing yards among running backs with 1,076 during the regular season. Further, Dowdle was essential over a five-week stretch between Weeks 5-9 when the Panthers went 4-1 — recording half of their wins during the entire season over that window. During this period, his 652 rushing yards led all running backs, with the gap between him and the second player (Jonathan Taylor) being the equivalent to the gap between Taylor and the 10th running back. In addition, Dowdle’s 85.0 PFF rushing grade also led the league during this period. Despite not being paid as a starter, Dowdle had a huge impact on the Panthers during a crucial time of the season

I was just a kid in ’95, but I still remember watching this on TV. It brings back a lot of memories. I’m in California, and honestly, I think I originally became a Panthers fan because I thought their logo and jersey combo was the coolest thing I’d ever seen.

It makes sense to let all of our UFAs test the market—none of them are true “must-re-sign” players. We’d like to have Cade Mays back, but he gave us average play at center last season, and that’s a position the team can realistically look to upgrade

https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/panthers/2026/03/02/nfl-news-rumors-panthers-hall-of-fame-game/88951350007/

Per Bill Barnwell: Lloyd will be a difficult evaluation for some teams. In 2024, Lloyd struggled so badly that the Jaguars really should have considered benching their 2022 first-round pick. There wasn't a great effort level from him on tape, and he looked like he wasn't up to the standards of being a starting-caliber linebacker. It was easy for the new Jags regime to decline his fifth-year option. And then in 2025, Lloyd was a different player. He racked up five picks, including that pick-six of Patrick Mahomes that fueled a famous Jags victory. The effort concerns disappeared. Lloyd managed 1.5 sacks and 10 knockdowns as a blitzer. He wasn't a great run defender, as Lloyd took longer to make tackles on run plays (5.1 seconds) than any regular off-ball linebacker in the league and made both run tackles and stuffs at below-average rates. But Lloyd was impactful enough against the pass to earn a deserved trip to the Pro Bowl. The real Lloyd is likely somewhere in between. It's tough to imagine him racking up five interceptions per year, although Lloyd managed three as a rookie. Most players didn't really put their best forward playing out the string for a hopeless 2024 Jags team. I'd want to make sure Lloyd was in the right spot on a competitive team, but he can be a valuable player on a defense https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47994520/2026-nfl-free-agency-best-players-available-defense-contract-tiers-market-barnwell

Austin Corbett is not expected back with Panthers

This

I like Chenal, he’s elite run defender. What our defense needs is a 3-down LB that can cover. Lloyd is exactly what we’re looking for

https://x.com/jared_nfldraft/status/2028129302756102333?s=46&t=xeIgh_-Vr2aKxBkBJdfnKA more on RB position

Fowler and Graziano: Some teams anticipate Panthers center Cade Mays could make $8 million per year on a new deal. https://x.com/panthersontap/status/2028100785439981936?s=46&t=xeIgh_-Vr2aKxBkBJdfnKA

Jeremy Fowler: Don’t be surprised if Carolina makes some big moves on defense. Mentions Devin Lloyd as an ideal fit in the middle. https://x.com/panthersontap/status/2028101193394713026?s=46&t=xeIgh_-Vr2aKxBkBJdfnKA

https://www.pff.com/news/2026-nfl-draft-the-ideal-haul-for-every-team-in-the-first-three-rounds

Carolina Panthers: EDGE Akheem Mesidor, LB Jake Golday, C Jake Slaughter The Panthers made the playoffs for the first time since 2017, but their defense needs major retooling at several levels. Carolina slotted 30th in pass-rush win rate at edge defender last year, and while Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen flashed, the team could use an instant-impact starter like Mesidor (92.5 PFF pass-rush grade). Further, Golday (82.4 overall PFF grade) could develop into a multi-year starter for a linebacker unit seeking growth. The Panthers don’t face many key free-agent losses, but the team could be in demand for interior offensive line with both Austin Corbett and Cade Mays hitting the market. Slaughter earned a 79.3 overall PFF grade or better in both of the last two years, and his 86.0 PFF zone-blocking grade would align with Dave Canales’ offense

I’m a little surprised he’s not being brought back, especially with Cade Mays seemingly headed for free agency. It appears the team believes it can find an upgrade at the position through the draft or free agency

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7076389/2026/02/28/panthers-combine-free-agency-draft-targets/

Vernon Davis type of performance

Give the excellent Tony Pauline a follow here: https://www.essentiallysports.com/author/tony-pauline/

13. Carolina is coming. The Panthers are well thought of around the league. Their "process" seems sound. I think their off-season will be very interesting to keep an eye on. They made the playoffs, but they're not yet knocking on the door. (Offense was 26th in EPA/play.) I think it's imperative they don't overestimate where they are in their build. They can't throw a ton of money around in FA to "make a run now". They need to be intentional about building a solid foundation. (IMO) And from what I know about the team... I think they will be. Sidenote: I have my eye on offense there, not defense. They HAVE to leave next season with a strong opinion on Bryce Young. They need to put pieces around him to do that. Can't be left wondering what he would have looked like with "better OL play" or "more pass catchers". They have to know. (That part is purely my opinion. No one told me that.) https://x.com/lindsay_rhodes/status/2027212533417869499?s=46&t=xeIgh_-Vr2aKxBkBJdfnKA

A'Shawn Robinson CARDefensive Tackle#94 The Athletic’s Joe Person reports the Panthers have given DT A’Shawn Permission to seek a trade As Person points out, this was expected. Robinson is considered to be a trade/cut candidate, which would free up $10.5 million for the Panthers. The veteran lineman who will be 31 next season continues to play at a high level. Robinson totaled 65 tackles, three TFLs, and 2.5 sacks last season, and had 80 tackles, eight TFLs, and 5.5 sacks in 2024. With just one year left on his current deal, Robinson could likely be acquired for a late Day 3 pick, but given the possibility of a release, teams may just wait until he hits the open market before attempting to acquire him.

Dan was very good here