The Carolina Panthers have inspired quite a bit of hope, in both fans and analysts alike, following an active offseason. But their direction hasn’t moved everybody.

ESPN analytics writer Seth Walder recently went in depth on each NFL team’s 2025 offseason, breaking down their most notable decisions and grading their respective bodies of work. He wasn’t very keen on a few of Carolina’s big-money contracts, including their “player-friendly” four-year, $100 million extension for cornerback Jaycee Horn.

Walder also nicked the Panthers for their signing of defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton, labeling the agreement as the move he “disliked.” He writes:

I also thought it overspent on Wharton, handing him a three-year deal worth $15 million per year with a little more than $30 million fully guaranteed. Wharton recorded 8.5 sacks for the Chiefs between the regular season and playoffs last season, but his below average 7% pass rush win rate at defensive tackle makes me awfully wary about that sack production continuing — especially since he won’t have Chris Jones drawing double-teams and causing disruption. There are also questions about Wharton’s run-stopping ability. I don’t think his contract was worth the cost.

Wharton recorded 6.5 of his 8.5 total sacks in 2024 during the regular season, more than tripling his previous career-best of 2.0. And while that mark may have been aided by the presence of Jones, Wharton will still have some opportunities lining up next to another one of the game’s most dominant space eaters in Derrick Brown.

As for what he did like, Walder highlighted the addition of former Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle:

The Panthers got a bargain in signing Dowdle to a one-year deal for $2.75 million. It’s surprising that Dowdle got so little considering he recorded 61 rush yards over expectation last season. I also feel he is better than the veterans Dallas brought in to replace him (Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams).

Dowdle ran for a career-high 1,079 yards this past season. The Asheville, N.C. native, who turned 27 years old in June, was one of 16 players to hit the 1,000-yard rushing mark in 2024. (His new teammate Chuba Hubbard was another.)

Overall, Walder gave the Panthers’ offseason a ‘C,’ which was tied for the third-lowest grade he handed out.

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