ESPN correctly identifies the Carolina Panthers’ hidden gem that the team needs to find a way to fully unleash in 2026
Carolina Panthers safety Lathan Ransom impressed a lot of people during his rookie season despite limited opportunities and it’ll once again be a challenge for the Panthers to fully unleash him in 2026.
The surprise story out of the offseason last year for the Carolina Panthers was the standout showing by fourth-round rookie safety Lathan Ransom, who earned himself a position in the 53-man roster by the end of training camp.
Ransom, as expected for a rookie, had an up-and-down first season with the Panthers. The lowest of the lows came in Week 15 after a crucial miscue late in the loss against the New Orleans Saints. He followed it up the next week with the best play of his rookie season, a clutch interception against Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Such is life in the NFL for a rookie, and Ransom learned the NFL life is all about riding the wave and letting the water run off your back. Now, going into Year 2, Ransom is a much more experienced player than last season but earning an opportunity will be just as hard.
ESPN urges fans not to forget about Lathan Ransom going into the 2026 season
After starting six games as a rookie and playing 336 total defensive snaps, many thought a higher role was on the way for Ransom in 2026. Instead, the team re-signed starting safety Nick Scott to a one-year deal and then drafted Zakee Wheatley on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft to boost the depth at the position.
That doesn’t mean Ransom is out of luck. He can certainly compete for a starting position, or at least a sizable role as a reserve player in the secondary. In breaking down rosters for all 32 teams, ESPN had Ransom listed as the nonstarter to know for Carolina. He’s certainly a player fans shouldn’t overlook or forget about.
Ransom primarily played free safety (284 snaps) for the Panthers behind Scott while Tre’von Moehrig manned the strong safety position. However, Ransom’s aggressiveness in run support made him a player that was hard to keep off the field even if he wasn’t a full-time starter.
The added competition to the room might seem like a red flag to some, but if anything it gives the Panthers more versatility with how they deploy their options. It might be difficult to fully unleash Ransom because of that, but it would allow the Panthers to pick and choose the ideal situations to get him on the field.
In due time, Ransom has the tools to be a full-time starter for this team, a role he could even earn as soon as this season. He’s a player the Panthers are high on and the more he sees the field, the better he could be. It’s all about earning that role, something that is set to take place later this month when training camp opens.