03-10-2026, 07:07 AM -
Panthers pay up for edge Jaelan Phillips
Top 150 ranking: 2
Reported deal: 4 years, $120 million
Grade: B-
Young, ascending edge rushers who hit the open market get paid. That is a truism of NFL free agency. And that is what happened with Phillips, one of the best players in this year’s class. Phillips is still on the rise as a player, and the Panthers likely think he will turn into a top-10 edge rusher over the length of this deal. He does have an injury history, so this comes with some risk. Still, Phillips is an explosive athlete who can set the edge in the run game and create pressure with his short-area burst, especially when driving inside on swim moves. He also has real coverage ability, a valuable extra part of his skill set for a creative defensive coordinator in Ejiro Evero. The Panthers had to pay a premium, but they got a really good player in Phillips. — Popper
Panthers add another big piece in LB Devin Lloyd
Top 150 ranking: 3
Reported deal: 3 years, $45 million
Grade: A
Lloyd comes in pretty far under our projection of $19 million per year. He is tied for the fourth-highest-paid off-ball linebacker in the league, according to Over the Cap. He played like one of the best off-ball linebackers in football in 2025, and he will still only be 27 when the 2026 season begins. Lloyd is an explosive playmaker with a well-rounded skill set for the position. He is excellent in coverage. He is physical in run defense. He can blitz. He can run sideline to sideline. He had the production last season with 28 pressures and five interceptions. This had all the makings of a deal closer to the top of the market, which is held by the 49ers’ Fred Warner at $21 million APY. Lloyd slots in well below that number. This is a great deal for the Panthers. —
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7093735...ades-2026/
Top 150 ranking: 2
Reported deal: 4 years, $120 million
Grade: B-
Young, ascending edge rushers who hit the open market get paid. That is a truism of NFL free agency. And that is what happened with Phillips, one of the best players in this year’s class. Phillips is still on the rise as a player, and the Panthers likely think he will turn into a top-10 edge rusher over the length of this deal. He does have an injury history, so this comes with some risk. Still, Phillips is an explosive athlete who can set the edge in the run game and create pressure with his short-area burst, especially when driving inside on swim moves. He also has real coverage ability, a valuable extra part of his skill set for a creative defensive coordinator in Ejiro Evero. The Panthers had to pay a premium, but they got a really good player in Phillips. — Popper
Panthers add another big piece in LB Devin Lloyd
Top 150 ranking: 3
Reported deal: 3 years, $45 million
Grade: A
Lloyd comes in pretty far under our projection of $19 million per year. He is tied for the fourth-highest-paid off-ball linebacker in the league, according to Over the Cap. He played like one of the best off-ball linebackers in football in 2025, and he will still only be 27 when the 2026 season begins. Lloyd is an explosive playmaker with a well-rounded skill set for the position. He is excellent in coverage. He is physical in run defense. He can blitz. He can run sideline to sideline. He had the production last season with 28 pressures and five interceptions. This had all the makings of a deal closer to the top of the market, which is held by the 49ers’ Fred Warner at $21 million APY. Lloyd slots in well below that number. This is a great deal for the Panthers. —
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7093735...ades-2026/