The Carolina Panthers made some big moves this offseason as they look to improve upon a 2025 season that saw them claim the NFC South title for the first time in a decade.

The Panthers’ biggest move money-wise was the signing of free agent edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to a four-year, $110 million deal. Given the money committed and Phillips’ recent struggles with injuries (season-ending Achilles and knee injuries in 2022 and 2023, respectively), there’s some level of risk there.

However, it was Carolina’s signing of former Jacksonville Jaguars LB Devin Lloyd that drew marks from some in the media as the team’s biggest head scratcher. Lloyd signed with the Panthers on a three year, $45 million deal after a big 2025 season for the Jags.

That said, the NFL appears to have a starkly different take on Lloyd. ESPN put out their top 10 rankings at each position group where they polled and interviewed NFL executives, coaches, and scouts from around the league. Lloyd checked in at No. 10 for off-ball linebackers.

Carolina LB Devin Lloyd ranks No. 10 on ESPN list of top 10 NFL off-ball linebackers as voted on by NFL personnel

Lloyd was voted as high as fourth on one voter’s ballot and as low as unranked on others. But being unranked is nothing surprising, given one or more voters had Baltimore’s Roquan Smith (No. 2 on the list) as unranked.

“Physical run player, love his length in zone to get his hands on the football,” ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler quoted an NFC exec as saying. “Not as effective in man. Can blitz and rush and is versatile.”

As with many players, the scheme and fit are often vital to their success, as well as the talent around them. But the unnamed exec’s evaluation of Lloyd should be how he fits into defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s defense this fall. Lloyd’s skills as a blitzer (five sacks in 2025) and his proficiency in zone coverage make him a fit in Charlotte. Per Sharp Football Analysis, the Panthers led the NFL with a zone coverage rate of 83.1% last year. Lloyd will also be flanking one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL in Derrick Brown, and Philips will up the pressure off the edge.

Everything finally came together for Lloyd last year in his final season in Jacksonville, and it looks early on like he could be a terrific fit in Charlotte.