ESPN’s latest look at the NFL’s long-term outlook doesn’t leave much room for the Carolina Panthers near the top.
Louis Riddick’s future power rankings, which stack all 32 teams based on expectations for 2027 to 2029, put Carolina at No. 23 overall. The Panthers landed with a 74.7 overall rating after being measured across four categories.
The biggest drag on the score came from the roster and quarterback spots. Carolina’s overall roster, excluding quarterback, ranked 25th in the league, and the quarterback group came in at 26th. Coaching was the strongest area for the Panthers at 16th, while the front office checked in at 20th.
That comes after Carolina finished 8-9 and won a tie-breaker to claim the NFC South title. The Panthers are set to open the 2026 season at home against the Chicago Bears in Week 1 as they try to repeat as division champions, but the bigger conversation here is about what comes next.
Benjamin Solak pointed to a few reasons for optimism. He wrote that “Carolina's aggressive spending on defense could return an above-average unit in 2026 and signal a rosy future. I'd also bet on a strong sophomore year from reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan moving the Panthers up a couple of spots in next year's ranking.”
The concerns are just as clear. Bryce Young sits at the center of them, with consistency the key issue moving forward. Riddick also noted that injuries along the offensive line and the absence of a true WR2 opposite Tetairoa McMillan could make it harder for Carolina to find steady production.
If Young takes a step in 2026 and the Panthers put together a strong season, there’s a path for this ranking to climb. But right now, ESPN’s view of Carolina’s future is pretty cautious.
In Other News...
Panthers Depth Chart Just Raised New Questions About Key Roster Battles
The Panthers unofficial preseason depth chart offered a few hints about how the staff is sorting out the bottom of the roster as camp moves along. Wide receiver depth remains tied not just to receiving production but to special teams value, and the guard picture has been muddied by injuries, leaving several backups waiting for a chance to climb despite some encouraging showings.
At tight end, Darren Waller is still at the bottom of the chart for now because he has not yet played or practiced, which leaves his spot more about timing than evaluation at this stage. Elsewhere, Princely Umanmielen has turned in a solid run in a starting role, but he has not yet pushed past the current starter opposite Jaelan Phillips, a reminder that early preseason momentum does not always translate directly into a move up the board. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Send A Clear Bryce Young Message In New Mock Draft
With the draft still ahead and a mid-first-round pick in hand, the Panthers are once again being sized up for how they plan to support Bryce Young. Carolina already addressed one important piece by selecting Monroe Freeling, who has worked his way into a starting role before the season even begins, and now the focus in a new mock draft has shifted to a different part of the roster. The projection has the Panthers picking seventh overall in 2027 and turning to pass rusher Colin Simmons, a move that speaks more to building the defense than chasing another quarterback.
For a team that has spent plenty of time under the microscope at the games most important position, the bigger takeaway is what the mock leaves out. Even with a deep class of quarterbacks available later in the round, Carolina does not come off this projection looking like a club in a hurry to replace Young or force the issue early. Instead, the message is one of patience and roster construction, with the Panthers betting their next major swing should come on the edge rather than under center. [Read more 🡒]