Panthers OTAs Top Defensive Storylines: Who will step up in Turk Wharton’s absence, plus what to make of the new secondary additions
The Carolina Panthers made significant additions to the defensive side of the ball this offseason. Seeing them in action along with the young defenders will be a top storyline to watch this week at OTAs.
The Carolina Panthers will kick off organized team activities on Tuesday and the defense will have some new high-priced players to help lead the unit alongside Jaycee Horn and Derrick Brown with four new defensive draft picks set to join the rest of the team.
After breaking down some of the top offensive storylines going into OTAs, let’s take a look at some of the top defensive storylines this new-look group will have as well.
Carolina Panthers top defensive storylines to watch at OTAs
Top free agent additions set to join the rest of the full defense
General manager Dan Morgan made two splashes on the defensive side of the ball when he handed a $120 million deal to pass rusher Jaelan Phillips followed by a $45 million deal handed to linebacker Devin Lloyd. It was two massive swings that will give defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero two top-caliber defenders to add to his unit.
While full pads are still prohibited during OTAs, we will at least get to see Phillips and Lloyd on the field with the rest of the entire defense this week. We might potentially hear from either player as well during media availability. Regardless, both players are going to be immediate difference-makers that will stand out in a big way during practice.
Opportunity is there for young IDL to impress with Tershawn Wharton sidelined due to injury
One player that won’t be standing out this week, in any capacity, is veteran defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton. Wharton recently underwent neck surgery and is expected to be out indefinitely, potentially even into the regular season.
With that being a reality, the opportunity is now there for Carolina’s young interior defensive linemen to impress playing alongside Brown, the defense’s general in the trenches. The lead player to watch is second-round pick Lee Hunter. The man nicknamed “The Fridge” won’t be hard for coaches to find given his sheer size and power.
Beyond Hunter, however, keep an eye on Cam Jackson. The team’s 2025 fifth-round pick played just nine games as a rookie but could be in line for more opportunities following Wharton’s injury and the release of veteran A’Shawn Robinson earlier this offseason.
How can two rookies earn a sizable, or even starting, role in the secondary?
In the backend of the defense, the Panthers added two more rookies in safety Zakee Wheatley and cornerback Will Lee III. Many expected the Panthers to add a Day 1 starter to the secondary earlier in the draft (Dillon Thieneman or Treydan Stukes). Instead, the Panthers waited out the value while adding more competition at both positions.
At safety, the Panthers have a Swiss-army knife in Tre’von Moehrig with a veteran center fielder in Nick Scott, while also having a developing player in Lathan Ransom. Where Wheatley fits into that room and which position the team trains him at will be key to watch.
At cornerback, the Panthers already had a talented outside duo in Horn and Mike Jackson, who recorded a combined nine interceptions and 27 pass deflections in 2025 alone. Now Carolina can add “The Blanket” to the room who plays with an aggressive style.
“We look for play-style first and foremost,” Canales said of selecting the two DBs. “Trying to project the athletic ability to contribute is obviously a big part of it… Will Lee, the length, the aggressiveness, his ability to play physical at the attack point. We ask our corners to tackle and be a part of the fits… we feel like he really fit that mold. For Zakee Wheatley, he’s just a really instinctive player. Physical player, shows up downhill, takes really good angles, runs downhill. He’s all over the field. Just that kind of activity on the backend is really crucial for how we play football.”
Will the Panthers eventually look to add at the nickel position?
As for the other other spot in secondary, there was a lot of buzz surrounding whether or not the Panthers would look to upgrade the nickel position this offseason. While Wheatley or Lee could in theory play there, it doesn’t appear either player will stick in the slot right out of the gate.
That means Chau Smith-Wade will have an opportunity to retain he starting position. If the Panthers aren’t thrilled about the options in that role, former Pro Bowl nickel Kenny Moore II is now officially on the market as an intriguing target to watch.