Derrick Brown’s return, combined with key free agent additions, must significantly elevate the Carolina Panthers’ defensive front.
As the Carolina Panthers gear up for the 2025 NFL season, one area that must take a dramatic leap forward is the defensive front. The return of star defensive tackle Derrick Brown is a central piece of the puzzle, but his presence alone won’t be enough. The Panthers have made several moves in free agency aimed at shoring up a defensive line that struggled to generate consistent pressure or stop the run in 2024. Now, with Brown anchoring the interior and new talent arriving to bolster the front seven, expectations are rising that this group can become the foundation of a much tougher and more disruptive defense.
Derrick Brown is coming off one of his most productive years as a pro, though his efforts were often masked by the broader struggles of the team around him. Brown posted career highs in tackles and was a force in the interior line despite facing frequent double teams. His ability to eat space, occupy blockers, and still make plays behind the line of scrimmage is rare. He brings a unique combination of power, leverage, and football IQ that allows him to impact the game in both run defense and pass-rushing scenarios. The Panthers were sorely missing consistent production around him, though, and that made Brown’s impact somewhat limited in the grand scheme.
In 2024, Carolina’s defense was constantly gashed on the ground, often losing the battle at the line of scrimmage. With a lack of edge presence and inconsistent linebacker play, opposing offenses ran at will, chewing up clock and keeping the Panthers’ offense off the field. The team’s inability to win in the trenches was a glaring weakness, and it forced the front office to reevaluate personnel and strategy heading into the offseason. The result has been an aggressive approach to free agency, with Carolina making multiple moves to upgrade the front seven.
Among the most notable additions is defensive end D.J. Wonnum, who brings versatility and a proven ability to rush the passer. He may not be a household name, but Wonnum has quietly put together solid seasons and is expected to bring a much-needed edge presence to Carolina’s defensive line. His athleticism and motor make him an ideal fit opposite Brian Burns, whose trade rumors finally came to an end this offseason. Wonnum won’t carry the line by himself, but his ability to complement Brown inside and collapse the pocket from the outside gives Carolina a dimension it lacked in 2024.
Alongside Wonnum is another key signing, A’Shawn Robinson, a veteran defensive tackle with a reputation for physicality and run-stopping prowess. Robinson is no stranger to the NFC South after his time with the Rams and Lions, and his experience is expected to be valuable on a young defensive roster. He offers a level of toughness and consistency that the Panthers have missed, especially on early downs where controlling the line of scrimmage sets the tone. With Robinson lined up next to Brown, Carolina suddenly boasts a defensive interior that can plug gaps, command double teams, and free up linebackers to make plays.
The success of these upgrades, however, hinges not just on the talent of the new players, but also on the coaching staff’s ability to put them in the right situations. New defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero is entering a crucial year. He’s known for his multiple-front schemes and for getting creative with pressures, but the key to his success in Carolina will be turning theoretical potential into practical results. If Evero can scheme around Brown’s dominance and create lanes for his edge rushers, the Panthers could see a significant uptick in sacks and quarterback pressures. But it will require cohesion, health, and smart game planning.
Another important development is the maturation of younger players in the rotation. Second-year defensive end Amare Barno and third-year linebacker Brandon Smith have shown flashes, but consistency has eluded them. If either player can take a developmental leap, it will go a long way toward strengthening the depth of the defensive front. Injuries and fatigue were major factors in the Panthers’ struggles last season, and part of that came from not having quality rotational players to keep the starters fresh. Brown played an unsustainable number of snaps at times, and while he held up physically, it’s not an ideal situation for long-term success.
The front office has also emphasized the need for better run defense, particularly against NFC South opponents who rely on physical ground games. Teams like the Falcons and Saints built game plans around attacking Carolina’s interior, knowing that sustained pressure could wear them down. The Panthers hope that by beefing up their defensive front with both talent and size, they can flip the script and force division rivals into unfavorable third-and-long situations. Winning those battles up front is how games are decided in the NFL, and for a team that’s struggled with identity, creating a physical and aggressive defensive front could set the tone for the entire roster.
There’s also a ripple effect when the front four performs well. Strong defensive line play makes life easier on linebackers and the secondary. In 2024, Carolina’s linebackers were often left exposed, unable to fill lanes or make clean tackles because the line in front of them was getting pushed around. Shaq Thompson and Frankie Luvu found themselves taking on blockers instead of playing downhill, and that significantly hindered their production. With a fortified line, these linebackers can now attack rather than react, playing faster and more instinctively.
In the secondary, better pressure up front means less time in coverage and more opportunities for turnovers. The Panthers have invested heavily in young defensive backs like Jaycee Horn and Jeremy Chinn, and those investments will only pay off if the quarterback is forced into mistakes. No corner can cover forever, and in today’s NFL, even elite defensive backs get beat if the pass rush isn’t doing its job. The goal for Carolina is to make opposing quarterbacks uncomfortable from the first snap to the final whistle. That starts with Derrick Brown and is amplified by the new additions around him.
From a leadership perspective, Brown’s return is also crucial. He’s become the emotional and vocal leader of the defensive line, setting the standard for effort and preparation. His work ethic is infectious, and the new players around him will benefit from that level of accountability. Brown doesn’t take plays off, and that mentality is what Carolina wants to instill in the entire front seven. He’s a tone-setter, and in the trenches, that type of presence matters more than scheme or reputation. It’s about mindset, grit, and the willingness to dominate every snap.
One under-the-radar factor that could also boost the defensive front is the team’s offseason strength and conditioning program. Coaches have emphasized building more functional strength and explosiveness, hoping to create a unit that not only holds the point of attack but also gets off blocks with more urgency. That will be critical in short-yardage situations, where Carolina was one of the worst teams in the league last season. Far too often, they were bullied in goal-line and third-and-short scenarios. That can’t happen if this team is serious about competing.
There’s no denying that the Panthers are still in a rebuild phase, but that doesn’t mean they can’t take meaningful steps forward. The defense, and particularly the defensive front, has a chance to become a strength instead of a liability. Derrick Brown gives the unit a star to build around, and the front office has done its part by bringing in proven veterans and role players who can fill critical gaps. If everyone plays to their potential and the coaching staff crafts a scheme that highlights their strengths, the turnaround could come quicker than most expect.
Ultimately, for the Panthers to return to competitiveness in the NFC South, the defensive front has to lead the way. That means shutting down the run, getting after the quarterback, and creating chaos in the backfield. It’s not just about statistics—it’s about tone, identity, and confidence. Every good team is built from the inside out, and for Carolina, that foundation begins with Derrick Brown and the reinforcements around him. If they rise to the challenge, this Panthers defense could finally become a force to be reckoned with.
