Reporter predicts top-five defensive finish for Carolina Panthers in 2026

Joe Person of The Athletic projected that the Carolina Panthers defense will rank among the top five in the NFL for the 2026 season. The team significantly improved in 2025, moving to 16th overall after allowing the most points in league history during the 2024 season. The prediction centers on recent personnel additions including Jaelan Phillips, Devin Lloyd, and Bobby Okereke. While the secondary features starters Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson, and Tre'von Moehrig, concerns remain regarding interior defensive line depth and the impact of the season-ending knee injury to Nic Scourton. Additionally, the team's defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero maintains a scheme that relies less on blitzing, which may limit the pass-rushing contribution of newer players like Lloyd. Skeptics suggest that achieving a top-five defensive standing would require a fundamental shift in pass-rush performance, which has ranked in the bottom five for three consecutive seasons.

• 10:06 AMYahoo Sports — Beat reporter makes very bold prediction for Panthers' 2026 season