The Carolina Panthers battled hard against the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round. Even in a loss, they didn’t look like a team that didn’t belong. The defense, in particular, showed up—forcing two turnovers that changed the momentum and gave the Panthers life when they needed it most. But those flashes were nothing new. All season long, third-down defense haunted this team.
Carolina finished 31st in the league on third down, and time after time, it showed up in the biggest moments. In Week 18 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baker Mayfield extended plays, found receivers late, and scrambled for key first downs that kept the defense on the field and wore them down. That loss nearly kept Carolina out of the playoffs altogether—if not for Atlanta beating New Orleans in their own Week 18 matchup.
There’s an old saying: good third-down defense is usually the result of good defense on first and second down. That’s still true. But in today’s NFL, it’s also about having closers, players who end drives when the game is on the line.
Carolina has some of those guys. Pro Bowler Jaycee Horn finished second in the league with 5 interceptions. Derrick Brown led all defensive linemen with seven batted passes. Those are impact plays. But another way defenses close games is with sacks, and that’s where the Panthers fell short.
Carolina ranked 29th in sacks, finishing the season with just 30. Getting quarterbacks behind the chains changes everything. It forces long-yardage situations, limits play-calling, and lets defenses do what they love most: get off the field.
Edge rushers D.J. Wonnum and Trevis Gipson are upcoming free agents, and together they combined for just four sacks. Both are athletic players, but the production simply wasn’t there. Rookie Nic Scourton, however, stood out. He finished with five sacks and flashed real upside, especially in the playoff game. As the season went on, he grew, and that’s exactly what you want to see from a young edge rusher. His future is bright, but he can’t do it alone.
If the Panthers want to take the next step, they need help off the edge. Here are five potential targets Carolina could consider in free agency.
Free-Agent Edge Options
Jaelan Phillips
Phillips offers Carolina a younger, high-upside edge rusher who can disrupt the pocket and fit within the defensive scheme. Splitting time between Miami and Philadelphia this past season, he recorded 5.5 sacks. Injuries have been a concern throughout his career, but he looked his best after arriving in Philadelphia. From Week 10 on, he earned a 70.2 PFF pass-rush grade and generated 44 total pressures. At just 26 years old, Phillips still has untapped potential. The key for any team—especially Carolina—will be finding ways to keep him on the field opposite Scourton.
Trey Hendrickson
Hendrickson is widely viewed as the top edge rusher on the free-agent market. Despite battling injuries in Cincinnati, he remained productive. According to PFF, he ranked sixth in pass-rush grade (90.0) and has now posted five consecutive seasons with a grade above 85.0. He generated 23 pressures on just 177 pass-rush snaps this year. At 31, Hendrickson is nearing the back end of his prime, but Carolina could be an ideal spot for him. His experience would be invaluable to a young edge room, and the Panthers have the cap space to make a move. Injuries may scare some teams off, and while Carolina isn’t traditionally a free-agent destination, early interest could matter to a veteran looking for the right fit.
Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff (16) is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) during the second half at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025.
Boye Mafe
At 27, Mafe has quietly developed into a reliable edge presence. Over the last three seasons, he has posted 146 pressures and 41 run stops, both ranking inside the top 35 among defenders. PFF grades him at 76.3, reflecting steady, consistent play. Mafe has improved each of the last two seasons under pass-rush specialist Ed McGilvra, and there’s reason to believe his best football is still ahead of him.
Dre’Mont Jones
Jones was released by Seattle as a cap-saving move and quickly picked up by Tennessee. After recording five sacks in nine games, he was traded to Baltimore for a fourth-round pick. Now set to hit free agency again, the 29-year-old is likely looking for a more permanent home. Jones still has enough juice to help a team up front—and Carolina could be a place where his skill set fits.
Khalil Mack
At 34, Mack is no longer the every-down dominator he once was. But expecting that would miss the point. His experience, leadership, and presence would matter just as much as his production. Teams often underestimate the value of a veteran edge rusher in a young locker room until they see the impact. Just ask the Rams what Von Miller meant in 2021.
Team-Building
The Panthers want to turn close losses into wins next year. The formula is simple and clear. A Better third-down defense, and it starts with pressure, and pressure starts on the edge. Carolina has pieces in place, but adding the right veteran could be the difference between surviving games and closing them. This offseason will tell us how serious the Panthers are about taking that next step.