Depth in the Draft: Panthers Next Developments

The Carolina Panthers appear to be in a strong position to improve their roster heading into the upcoming draft. After watching several playoff teams last season, particularly the Los Angeles Rams, it became clear just how important depth is to sustained success. The Rams had a noticeably deeper roster, something the Panthers now have an opportunity to build.

Because of their current roster situation, Carolina has the flexibility to go in virtually any direction in the draft. That kind of freedom allows the team not only to add depth immediately but also to develop a pipeline of future starters who could step into larger roles as early as next season. Building that pipeline will be important as the organization eventually moves on from aging, expensive veterans.

While it may sound surprising at first, one example of this strategy could be selecting a guard in the first round. On the surface, the Panthers already have strong guard play, so the need might not appear urgent. However, a closer look at the salary cap situation in 2027 shows significant financial commitments at the position. Drafting a top guard now would allow the team to develop that player this year and potentially slide him into the starting lineup next season, creating financial flexibility when those larger contracts come due.

The bottom line is that the Panthers are in a solid position moving forward. While I may not agree with every move made in free agency, such as the recent signing of Jaelan Phillips, the team still appears well positioned to add much needed depth in next month’s draft. If they take advantage of that opportunity, Carolina could quietly set the foundation for a much stronger roster in the near future.