Critical Position Group is Panthers' 'Biggest Concern' Ahead of Training Camp

The Carolina Panthers' biggest concern ahead of training camp centers around the defense's ability to rush the passer and a relatively unproven linebacker group outside of newly-acquired Jadeveon Clowney.

At least, that's what Joseph Person of The Athletic argues, and it's a difficult point to counter. Despite ranking sixth in opponent yards per play (4.9) last year, the Panthers were dead last in sacks per game (1.6). To make matters worse, they've lost their best pass rusher after trading away Brian Burns.

If the Panthers hope to compete in the NFC South, they'll need to generate pressure from somewhere.

Panthers' Pass Rush Named 'Biggest Concern'

The outside linebackers, in particular, have a lot to prove. Derrick Brown should help clog the middle and make it easier to win on the edges, though losing Burns obviously hurts.

As Person writes, "The Panthers were a top-five defense last year despite getting solid but unspectacular production from edge rushers Brian Burns and Yetur Gross-Matos, both of whom departed this spring."

To alleviate that issue, "They signed veteran Jadeveon Clowney to a two-year deal and added former Viking D.J. Wonnum in free agency. But Wonnum (quad) won’t be ready for the start of training camp, and the rest of the outside linebacker group was either hurt or underwhelming during the spring."

Person points out that Carolina is at the top of the waiver wire order for the first three weeks, so the Panthers could be active if necessary. They have some promising undrafted free agents as well, though we'll see how the unit looks in training camp.

The offense should take a step forward regardless but the pass rush may ultimately determine the team's ceiling in 2024-25.

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