TheSpecialJuan

I think Dan will look to upgrade from Nijman. A cap casualty like Jawaan Taylor or a guy who sat out all last year in Jedrick Wills would be better options.

Rico Dowdle CARRunning Back#5 ESPN’s David Newton believes that unless Rico Dowdle “wants to return at a bargain price, he appears headed to his third team in three seasons.” Dowdle was notably down on how little he was used in the regular season finale and in the playoffs, where he rushed a combined 12 times for 19 yards, and said that would be a “factor” in his free agency. Dowdle’s fantasy stock could take a big upturn if he wound up being the obvious lead back on a new team this offseason. The Chiefs, Saints and Texans come to mind as (our speculation) possibilities. Chuba Hubbard’s stock would similarly rebound if Dowdle took off to greener pastures.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47766983/nfl-carolina-panthers-rico-dowdle-free-agents-jalen-coker

Top priority The Panthers' top offseason priority isn't actually an unrestricted free agent. It's locking in wide receiver Jalen Coker for the long term. Biggest dilemma Left tackle. There's a good chance Ikem Ekwonu, the sixth pick of the 2022 draft, misses part or all of the 2026 season after suffering a ruptured patella tendon in his right knee against the Rams. Rest of the O-line The interior with Hunt and Lewis is set, as is right tackle Taylor Moton, who is under contract through 2027 after signing an extension in August. So re-signing center Cade Mays becomes a priority.

I loved his press conferences he was terrific to listen to

https://x.com/yourboyq254/status/2017040887495479635?s=46&t=xeIgh_-Vr2aKxBkBJdfnKA

https://x.com/panthersontap/status/2017038118851907995?s=46&t=xeIgh_-Vr2aKxBkBJdfnKA

https://x.com/jfowlerespn/status/2017037574183792752?s=46&t=xeIgh_-Vr2aKxBkBJdfnKA Raiders like him

Good!

Tillis is terrific I'm happy we have him

Good stuff

I could see this

Taking a WR in the first round for the 3rd consecutive year would be absolutely idiotic. Jeremiah is a fine draft analyst but he's clearly just putting names to teams with no insight of the inner workings of these teams.

https://www.nfl.com/news/daniel-jeremiah-2026-nfl-mock-draft-1-0

Pick 19 Carolina Panthers Jordyn Tyson Arizona State · WR · Junior (RS) The Panthers have a stud in Tetairoa McMillan, and I like what I saw from Jalen Coker at the end of the season, but choosing Tyson would complete the WR room.

Bingo

https://www.essentiallysports.com/nfl-active-news-flagship-sources-supplemental-draft-in-play-for-darian-mensah-rams-to-extend-warren-mcclendon-jr-texans-eye-ol-help-in-fa/

Per Tony Pauline: During a recent team-needs piece on the Houston Texans, I mentioned that the team has a screaming need on the interior of their offensive line. That same day, I also mentioned in a separate article on the Carolina Panthers that center Cade Mays was not expected back and will hit the free-agent market in March. Sources here at the Shrine Bowl expect the Texans to make a run at Mays once free agency opens to fill the hole they have at center. Mays, a sixth-round pick by Carolina in 2022, has started 27 games for the Panthers, including 20 over the past two seasons.

LB Leo Chenal, Kansas City Chiefs (82.0) Best Landing Spot: Carolina Panthers After playing a limited role as a situational run-stuffing and blitzing linebacker to start his career with the Chiefs, Chenal is ready to take on a full-time role elsewhere. He has posted a 70.0-plus PFF run-defense grade in each of his first four seasons. But, it’s his improvements in coverage — headlined by a career-best 72.6 PFF grade in 2025 — that should make him an enticing option The Panthers' linebacking corps failed to produce a single player with a PFF overall grade above 55.0. Adding Chenal to headline the group as the new green-dot communicator would project well for a defense that ranked 23rd in EPA per play allowed this past season https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-best-landing-spots-highest-graded-free-agents-defense-2026

https://www.essentiallysports.com/nfl-active-news-carolina-panthers-biggest-roster-needs-cj-allen-miss-pushes-carolina-toward-texas-am-star-in-twenty-twenty-six-nfl-mock-draft/

Linebacker The Panthers have selected decent pass-rushing linebackers in recent drafts, but a three-down player at the position is needed. More than a run stuffer, a linebacker who can cover is an offseason goal. Edge Rusher Nic Scourton played incredibly well as a rookie, but another consistent pass rusher to pair him with is needed, as D.J. Wonnum looks set for free agency. Offensive Line Starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu tore his patella tendon during the first quarter of the playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams. He will be out for a while and may miss all of 2026. Interior blockers Cade Mayes and Austin Corbett are set for free agency. MOCK DRAFT ROUND 1: Cashius Howell/Edge/Texas A&M If CJ Allen falls to this spot, I believe the Panthers would scoop him up, but the Georgia linebacker is getting a lot of love in the scouting community. In Howell, they are getting a system fit that could be a terrific pairing with Scourton. He’s also a pass-rushing linebacker who is effective in space. ROUND 2: Jake Golday/LB/Cincinnati Golday is the three-down linebacker the Panthers’ defense needs, as he’s tough, instinctive, and well-rounded. Dan Morgan will love him ROUND 3: Michael Trigg/TE/Baylor Carolina has solid tight ends but no true playmakers. They seem to have an aversion to throwing the ball to Ja’Tavion Sanders, and he hasn’t developed as expected. Trigg can get downfield and be a large receiver at the tight end position ROUND 4: Brian Parker II /C/Duke The Panthers could use a guard or center, and Parker, who played right tackle for Duke, projects to either.