The Carolina Panthers have failed to provide a consistent pass rush for multiple seasons at this point. They've tried to plug players in to fix the issue, such as Jadeveon Clowney in 2024, but to no avail.
If Carolina wants to seriously upgrade their pass rushers, they'll need major reinforcements over the offseason. With $32 million to work with in free agency, they'll look to add some help. However, with a projected top pick in the upcoming draft, Carolina could come away with a star pass rusher.
Look no further than Penn State's Abdul Carter, who Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report believes would be a great fit for the Panthers.
Obviously, an elite pass-rusher is almost always one of the first prospects off the board in any draft class. For 2025, Penn State's Abdul Carter has slowly worked his way into that standing. Initially, he struggled as he made the full-time transition from off-ball linebacker to starting edge defender. By the end of the season, Carter terrorized opponents with a lightning-quick first step, ability to bend the edge and closing speed to secure sacks.
Since moving to edge rusher full-time, Carter has thrived. In three seasons for the Nittany Lions, he compiled 21 sacks, 37 tackles for a loss and 164 tackles. 2024 was his best year yet, as he totaled 10 sacks and 20 tackles for a loss. Carter would give the Panthers an alpha pass rusher immediately.
