The Carolina Panthers had an abysmal defense last year. They ended up allowing more points than any team in the history of the NFL. There are holes everywhere, but linebacker was one that proved to be troublesome.

The 49ers snagged a third-round comp pick in the 2025 draft when DeMeco Ryans and Ran Carthon were both hired in the same offseason. Ryans went to the Houston Texans as their head coach. Carthon went to the Tennessee Titans as their general manager.

The Carolina Panthers will pick in the top 10 of the NFL Draft for the fifth time in six years. Another last-place finish in the NFC South will do that to you.

We know the Carolina Panthers need all the help they can get on defense. Even after they upgrade their edge rotation and their interior defensive line group, they'll still need to find two upgrades at safety and some linebacker depth,