Panther Needs (3/14): The Shift to Defense

[*FreeFua*]

This mock is pretty much spot on to how I see the entire first round playing out as of today

https://www.fantasylife.com/articles/nfl-draft/2026-nfl-mock-draft-carnell-tate-stays-in-ohio

[Cpt slay a ho]

I’m happy most of us are on the same page about this team finally taking the fs position seriously.

I’d be happy with a draft like this. I think we’re in a prime position to transform this defense to elite with a good draft like this. 
 

I’d also be happy if we went all offense too, which SHOULD increase the offense productivity from last year but we have some questions on that side of the ball regardless. 
 

I think the best defense wins the division easily and we’ve seen time and time again, how far an elite defense can take you. 

[Khyber53]

3 hours ago, MHS831 said:

Morgan gets a lot of credit--not only did he fill holes, he filled them with upgrades.

• The top edge in free agency (best fit for us, imo)
• The top ILB in free agency
• A starting LT that has slightly better numbers than our LT and he got him for about half what LTs went for last year in free agency
• A starting C with better numbers than our starting C for half the salary

I mean, getting 4 starters in free agency at those positions is incredible. 

4 starters of 22 possible starters.  We should add two more through the draft (ILB, S) at least

 

So far, on paper, he's doing great work. If it plays out on the field like that, we're going to do great.

[TheSpecialJuan]

I think the front office’s thought process on these four needs is probably pretty simple: they’re asking themselves at each position, is there a free agent available who can clearly upgrade the roster right now?

Free Safety: No obvious upgrade in free agency, so this likely points to the draft

Defensive Tackle: Same situation. Outside of older vets like DJ Reader, there’s not much that truly moves the needle, so this probably gets addressed in the draft as well

Will ILB: Again, mostly depth-type free agents (Akeem Davis-Gaither, Kenneth Murray types), not clear upgrades — so draft makes sense here too

Tight End: This is the one spot where there are potential upgrades available in free agency, like David Njoku or maybe Jonnu Smith

So if I had to guess the approach:

FS – Draft

WILL ILB – Draft

DT – Draft

TE- We can still upgrade through free agency