When you dig into the Carolina Panthers’ 2025 defensive season, one thing becomes clear: it was a mixed bag. Some players quietly put together strong campaigns, others underwhelmed, and a few performances left even the most seasoned analysts scratching their heads. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), which grades every snap of every player across the NFL, the Panthers' defense had a few standouts-but also more than a few question marks.
Let’s break down how Carolina’s primary defensive contributors fared, focusing on those who played at least 300 snaps.
Interior Defensive Line: Derrick Brown Deserved More Love
Derrick Brown continues to be the anchor of the Panthers’ defensive front. He logged 808 snaps-76% of the team’s total defensive plays-and earned a PFF grade of 72.9, which ranked him 18th out of 131 interior defensive linemen. That’s a solid number, but for anyone who watched Brown consistently collapse pockets and disrupt opposing offenses, it feels like he should be higher.
Brown didn’t just eat up blocks-he made plays. He was a force in both the run and pass game, and his absence from the Pro Bowl in 2025 raised more than a few eyebrows. If he were wearing a different jersey-say, one with a star or a winged helmet-he’d likely be a household name by now.
A’Shawn Robinson also played a key role, logging over 650 snaps and grading out at 63.7 (47th of 131). That’s serviceable, but not spectacular.
Bobby Brown (56.7) and Tershawn Wharton (43.0) rounded out the group, with Wharton’s grade placing him near the bottom of the league at his position. That’s not what you want from a player signed to a 3-year, $45 million deal.
Injuries limited him to just nine games, but the Panthers will be hoping for a bounce-back in 2026.
Edge Rushers: A Promising Rookie Emerges
One of the bright spots on this defense? Rookie edge rusher Nic Scourton.
The second-round pick stepped into a major role and delivered a strong debut season. He played 717 snaps (68% of the team’s total) and posted 47 tackles, seven tackles for loss, nine quarterback hits, and five sacks.
PFF graded him at 68.0, placing him 52nd out of 120 edge defenders-a very respectable showing for a first-year player.
Scourton’s motor and versatility stood out, and his ability to hold up against the run while flashing pass-rush upside gives Carolina something to build on.
DJ Wonnum, on the other hand, didn’t make quite the same impact. With a matching grade of 56.7 (99th of 120), he was more of a rotational presence than a game-changer. The Panthers will need more production off the edge in 2026 to complement Scourton’s development.
Linebackers: A Group That Struggled
This unit had a tough year. Trevin Wallace and Christian Rozeboom both played significant snaps-624 and 823, respectively-but neither graded particularly well. Wallace came in at 54.2 (64th of 89), while Rozeboom landed at 48.4 (75th of 89).
Both players were active and physical, but the consistency just wasn’t there. Whether it was missed tackles, coverage lapses, or getting caught out of position, this group struggled to provide the steady presence needed at the second level.
Cornerbacks: Mike Jackson Surprises, Jaycee Horn Gets Snubbed
Now here’s where things get interesting. Mike Jackson didn’t just have a good season-according to PFF, he had an elite one.
His grade of 83.5 ranked him as the No. 3 cornerback in the entire NFL. That’s not a typo.
Jackson played 99% of the Panthers’ defensive snaps and was a consistent presence on the outside.
While some might not have seen him as an All-Pro caliber player, the tape shows a corner who rarely gave up big plays, tackled well, and held his own in man coverage. In a season full of ups and downs, Jackson’s performance was a major positive.
Jaycee Horn, meanwhile, earned a Pro Bowl nod for the second straight year, but PFF wasn’t as impressed. They graded him at 59.2-67th out of 113 corners.
That’s a puzzling disconnect. Horn played 90% of the snaps, and while he did have a few rough patches, his physical style and ability to match up with top receivers were key to Carolina’s defensive game plans.
Chau Smith-Wade rounded out the group with a 55.7 grade over 626 snaps. He showed flashes but still has room to grow.
Safeties: Solid, If Unspectacular
Tre’von Moehrig and Nick Scott were ironmen on the back end, playing 990 and 1,035 snaps respectively. Both finished with grades in the low 60s-Moehrig at 62.5 (55th of 96), Scott at 62.3 (57th of 96)-which puts them right around league average.
That might not sound exciting, but it’s not a bad place to be. They were reliable in run support and didn’t give up many back-breaking plays in coverage. Moehrig also chipped in with three sacks and seven QB hits, showing some juice as a blitzer.
Lathan Ranson saw more limited action (336 snaps) and graded out at 57.3. He’s a developmental piece at this stage, but could carve out a bigger role if he continues to progress.
Final Thoughts: A Defense in Transition
Overall, the PFF grades reflect what many Panthers fans saw in 2025: a defense with a few stars, some promising young talent, and several areas in need of improvement. Derrick Brown remains the heartbeat of the front, Nic Scourton looks like a future cornerstone, and Mike Jackson had a breakout year at corner. But inconsistent linebacker play, underwhelming edge production outside of Scourton, and questions in the secondary leave this unit with work to do.
If Carolina can build on its young core and get more consistent play from its veterans, there’s a foundation here worth developing. The pieces are there-it’s just a matter of putting them together.