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NFL top 10 Defenses

jfra78

By jfra78,
in Carolina Panthers

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jfra78 Grand Master

jfra78

Posted
Posted

Did not expect this from national media.

https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/10-best-nfl-defenses-2026-texans-seahawks-broncos

10. Carolina Panthers

 

Key additions: OLB Jaelan Phillips (FA), LB Devin Lloyd (FA), DT Lee Hunter (draft)

Key losses: DT A’Shawn Robinson (FA)

Don’t be surprised to see the Panthers, who ranked 15th in points allowed and 16th in yards given up last season, make the leap into the top-10 conversation in 2026. 

They added two of the marquee defensive free agents in edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd. Cornerback Jaycee Horn is coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons. Carolina lost starting defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson in free agency but essentially replaced him with second-round pick Lee Hunter, who had 10.5 tackles for loss at Texas Tech last season. 

Ejiro Evero, one of the NFL’s most respected defensive coordinators, has plenty of talent to work with.

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DaveThePanther2008 Grand Master

DaveThePanther2008

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8 minutes ago, jfra78 said:

Did not expect this from national media.

https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/10-best-nfl-defenses-2026-texans-seahawks-broncos

10. Carolina Panthers

 

Key additions: OLB Jaelan Phillips (FA), LB Devin Lloyd (FA), DT Lee Hunter (draft)

Key losses: DT A’Shawn Robinson (FA)

Don’t be surprised to see the Panthers, who ranked 15th in points allowed and 16th in yards given up last season, make the leap into the top-10 conversation in 2026. 

They added two of the marquee defensive free agents in edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd. Cornerback Jaycee Horn is coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons. Carolina lost starting defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson in free agency but essentially replaced him with second-round pick Lee Hunter, who had 10.5 tackles for loss at Texas Tech last season. 

Ejiro Evero, one of the NFL’s most respected defensive coordinators, has plenty of talent to work with.

Evero has ZERO excuses not to have this defense in the top 10.  After the 2024 season he was given a lifeline because he had NO talent on the defensive side of the ball.  2025 showed a vast improvement. 2026 we added two players in free agency that addressed our worst positions on the defensive side of the ball.

This season will make or break his future in football.  If he has a stellar defense he most likely will be considered for a head coaching job.  If he fails, he'll definitely damage his status in the NFL. 

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bandu Mentor

bandu

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have always really liked Ejiro Evero & thought with the right personnel/ players he would have no problem whatsoever producing a top 10 defense in the NFL

here lately with average to below average talent on defense Evero has been put in the position to where he is trying to keep everything thing in front of his defense to mask the talent gap & more or less simply limit the big plays

now with a much needed infusion of talent to the defense i can see Evero changing what he does defense & his play calling be a more aggressive style defense that attacks alot more 

oh yeah...just saying 

 

Edited by bandu
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jtm Proficient

jtm

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Assuming everyone stays healthy, this defense should easily be top 10 and if not, some players need to be traded.  Wallace and Scott are the only liabilities and Wallace has looked decent at times.  

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strato Grand Master

strato

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14 hours ago, bandu said:

have always really liked Ejiro Evero & thought with the right personnel/ players he would have no problem whatsoever producing a top 10 defense in the NFL

here lately with average to below average talent on defense Evero has been put in the position to where he is trying to keep everything thing in front of his defense to mask the talent gap & more or less simply limit the big plays

now with a much needed infusion of talent to the defense i can see Evero changing what he does defense & his play calling be a more aggressive style defense that attacks alot more 

oh yeah...just saying 

 

 I liked him too and refused to judge him for 2024 after the way they devalued his part of the roster. 
But some of these 3rd down defenses and ridiculous cushions are just bad. Raise the white flag bad. 
If we keep seeng that he needs to go. 

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bandu Mentor

bandu

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4 hours ago, strato said:

 I liked him too and refused to judge him for 2024 after the way they devalued his part of the roster. 
But some of these 3rd down defenses and ridiculous cushions are just bad. Raise the white flag bad. 
If we keep seeng that he needs to go. 

absolutely agree Evero needs to become more aggressive on defense 

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rebelrouser Mentor

rebelrouser

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Our biggest addition Jaelen Phillips has a significant injury history to include a ruptured Achilles followed by a torn ACL.

We failed to add a much needed starting safety, ilb, and/or nickel in the draft.  

Lee Hunter is nice but ends up being a wash considering the loss of A'Shawn Robinson.

Injuries could cause problems for a unit lacking depth.  Top ten seems a bit ambitious with a likely upgrade in strength of schedule.  

 

 

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