Middle of The Road
Perhaps one of the most intriguing storylines of the Panthers’ offseason is the middle linebacker position.
I’ve said time and time again that I’m not a fan of the 3–4 defense. But as long as David Tepper owns this team, it appears he will continue either softly or firmly behind the scenes to push the organization toward that scheme. And since that isn’t likely to change anytime soon, the Panthers now have a pressing need: they must find two reliable inside linebackers.
Right now, it’s fair to question whether Trevin Wallace is one of them. Christian Rozeboom is a free agent, and Wallace has yet to fully prove he can anchor the position long term. For a franchise that once prided itself on elite linebacker play and coming on the heels of its latest star at the position being inducted into the Hall of Fame, it feels like the time has come to reinvest there.
Sonny Styles.
Sonny Styles has emerged as a popular projection in recent mock drafts, and I wouldn’t be opposed to that selection. A 6’4”, 240 pound former safety brings intriguing versatility, especially if he’s available in the back half of the draft. Still, youth alone won’t be enough. This defense needs a veteran presence in the middle, someone who can stabilize the unit and lead.
My gut, along with the team’s cap situation, suggests that Wallace will likely reclaim a starting role. Maybe in Year Three, the former third round pick takes a significant leap. That outcome isn’t impossible. But relying on potential alone is risky.
And if the Panthers aren’t going to address linebacker early in Rounds 1 or 2, it’s hard to justify spending a third or fourth round pick on another player who simply replicates Wallace’s profile. At that point, you’re just stacking similar prospects without solving the core problem.
If this organization is serious about fixing its defense, it needs to stop hedging and start committing. The middle linebacker position deserves real investment again, whether through a premium draft pick, a proven veteran, or ideally, both.