The Carolina Panthers are making waves this offseason with some strategic moves, adding key players like Jaelan Phillips, Devin Lloyd, and Rasheed Walker through free agency. These additions are filling important gaps, but there’s still work to be done, especially when it comes to strengthening their edge rush.
Despite bringing in Phillips, the Panthers are still looking to bolster their pass rush depth. The buzz around the league suggests that Carolina might be eyeing the NFL Draft to address this need. NFL.com’s Kevin Zierlein has even predicted that the Panthers could make a bold move, trading up five spots to No. 14, currently held by the Baltimore Ravens, to secure Miami’s standout edge rusher, Akheem Mesidor.
Zierlein points out that Carolina would be wise to jump ahead of teams like Tampa Bay, New York, and Detroit, all of whom are also in the market for edge help. Mesidor is known for his versatile pass-rushing skills and relentless energy, making him an ideal candidate to elevate the Panthers' defense.
Mesidor’s journey began at West Virginia in 2020, where he played for two seasons before transferring to Miami in 2022. His college career has been impressive, with a total of 35.5 sacks, but it was his breakout year in 2025 that truly put him on the NFL radar.
Last year, the Panthers drafted Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen on Day 2, hoping to bolster their defense. While Scourton showed promise with 47 tackles and five sacks, Umanmielen struggled to make an impact. This underscores Carolina’s need for a game-changing presence on the edge, not just another roster filler.
Given Mesidor’s recent success with the Hurricanes, he seems like a perfect fit for the Panthers, potentially bringing the kind of dynamic play they need to take their defense to the next level.