The Carolina Panthers enter their third preseason game this Friday with a clear mission. They need to prove their defense can handle a real NFL offense. This matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars serves as a major measuring stick. Per Cat Scratch Reader, the Panthers starters should see a fair amount of action on both sides of the ball. It is time to see if the unit is ready for the regular season.
Phillips Leads the Charge
Jaelan Phillips has looked every bit the part of the highest-paid free agent. He logged a sack on Josh Allen and played as a disruptive force. The pass rush continues to stand up in the early reviews. But the real question is not about Phillips. It is about the depth behind him. DT Aaron Hall, Trevis Gipson, and Cam Gill recorded two more sacks versus the Bills. While playing as a pass rush specialist for the Louisville Kings, Gill recorded 10 sacks and received UFL Defensive Player of the Year honors. His momentum could earn him a spot in the rotation for 2026.
Inside Linebacker Battle
The middle of the field remains a work in progress. To fill the vacant inside linebacker position, the Panthers have Trevin Wallace and Claudin Cherelus competing against one another. Neither player has pulled ahead of the other so far. Jackson Kuwatch is a name to observe for this competition. He has been all over the field when given snaps. The 2026 seventh-round pick shows enough to make the roster. He needs seasoning on functional strength, but his speed is a plus. Every rookie faces the challenge of catching up to NFL speed from college. His snaps are ones to monitor closely during this game.
Safety Depth Rising
The back end of the defense is looking stronger than expected. At safety, Lathan Ransom and Zakee Wheatley keep demonstrating impressive performance. Social media has been full of tweets about their plays throughout the off-season. Both could vie for more first-team snaps in the regular season. The Panthers have mostly used late-round picks and undrafted free agents for safety depth. Nick Scott serves as the veteran presence. His snaps could get eaten into if Ransom and Wheatley keep an upward trajectory. This Friday night will show if the secondary is ready to hold the line.
