Sportsvival is already full force into scouting the 2026 NFL Draft, and the Carolina Panthers feel like a team that still has important work to do even after an active March. Carolina finished 8-9 and won the NFC South in 2025, but the shape of this offseason says a lot: the Panthers have kept adding pieces on the offensive line, at linebacker, and on the edge, which tells you exactly where this roster still needs more long-term answers.
Panthers offseason signings and additions
Carolina has been busy. The Panthers added Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd to the front seven, Kenny Pickett at quarterback, Luke Fortner at center, Stone Forsythe and Rasheed Walker at tackle, John Metchie III at wide receiver, AJ Dillon at running back, and also brought back or retained key depth pieces such as Nick Scott, Sam Martin, Akayleb Evans, Trevis Gipson, James Mitchell, David Moore, Isaiah Simmons, Thomas Incoom, LaBryan Ray, Robert Rochell, Claudin Cherelus, Jalen Coker, Brycen Tremayne, and JJ Jansen. Feleipe Franks and Nick Hampton were added as depth pieces as well.
Panthers departures
There were real losses too. Andy Dalton was traded to Philadelphia for a conditional 2027 seventh-round pick, Cade Mays left for Detroit, Rico Dowdle went to Pittsburgh, D.J. Wonnum signed with Detroit, Christian Rozeboom went to Tampa Bay, Austin Corbett signed with Buffalo, Yosh Nijman retired, and A'Shawn Robinson was released before landing with Tampa Bay. That is a meaningful amount of experience leaving the building, especially along the offensive line and in the front seven.
Top 3 Panthers needs
1. Offensive tackle
This is the one that jumps off the page. Carolina added Rasheed Walker and Stone Forsythe, but those moves feel more like necessary protection than a long-term answer. Ikem Ekwonu is working back from a torn patellar tendon, and the Panthers also lost Cade Mays while watching Austin Corbett hit the market and later sign elsewhere. The line has bodies, but it still needs a young cornerstone piece.
2. Edge rusher
Even after adding Jaelan Phillips, Carolina still has every reason to keep looking here. The Panthers generated an NFL-low 148 quarterback pressures in 2025, and D.J. Wonnum also moved on in free agency. Phillips helps, but one signing does not erase the need for more speed, juice, and finishing ability off the edge.
3. Linebacker
Devin Lloyd was a strong addition, but this still belongs in the top three because Christian Rozeboom departed after leading the team in tackles, and linebacker was one of the clear positions Carolina entered the offseason wanting to address. Lloyd raises the ceiling, but more depth and range would still make sense for this defense.
The pick at No. 19: Spencer Fano, T, Utah
At No. 19, Sportsvival has the Panthers selecting Spencer Fano out of Utah.
This fit makes a lot of sense. Fano is listed at 6-foot-6 and 308 pounds, was a consensus first-team All-American, won the 2025 Outland Trophy, and was named 2025 Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year. He played in 37 games with 35 starts at Utah, including 11 starts at left tackle and 24 at right tackle, and Utah credits him with allowing no sacks in 357 pass-blocking opportunities during the 2025 season. That kind of production, versatility, and polish is exactly what Carolina should be looking for if it wants to solidify the line in front of Bryce Young.
Fano would give the Panthers a player who can compete early, help stabilize the tackle situation, and potentially become one of the foundational pieces of the offense for years to come. Carolina has addressed plenty this offseason, but offensive tackle, edge, and linebacker still feel like the three spots that can shape whether this team simply hangs around or takes a real step forward in 2026.
Our board is always fluid, and team needs, scheme fit, medicals, all-star events, and the rest of the draft process can move things around, but Spencer Fano to Carolina at No. 19 feels like a very clean Sportsvival fit.