After a promising rookie debut, Nic Scourton aims for a dominant second season as Jaelan Phillips joins the defensive front to unlock the Carolina Panthers dormant pass rush.
The Carolina Panthers took a step in the right direction under head coach Dave Canales when they won the NFC South and gave the Los Angeles Rams a run for their money in the Wild-Card Round before falling 34-31.
The 2026 campaign is pivotal for quarterback Bryce Young. The next step for Carolina will be trying to earn a winning record this season, as the Panthers won their division despite having a losing (8-9) record.
Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero has gotten the best out of his roster in recent seasons, and he could finally have a player that becomes a star this fall.
Ben Solak of ESPN identified pass-rusher Nic Scourton as a breakout candidate for the Panthers this year, believing he could improve from the five-sack season he had as a rookie.
"The best pass rusher on the Panthers last season was Scourton, a 21-year-old rookie," Solak wrote. "Of course, being the Panthers' best pass rusher wasn't much to write home about. Scourton's pressure rate was 9.2%, well below the league average for starting edge rushers (12.6%).
"But he was always considered more of a developmental pick, given his youth and long transition out of the Texas A&M defense and into more of an attacking role with the pros."
Scourton had an impressive season despite only starting in eight games (he appeared in 17 games). In addition to his five sacks, Scourton recorded 47 tackles and one forced fumble. It stands to reason he'll only improve in his second season in the league.
Solak thinks Scourton could improve thanks to the signing of Jaelan Phillips in free agency.
"Now that Scourton will play opposite Jaelan Phillips, he should get easier assignments," Solak wrote.
"He's also more likely to get cleanup opportunities given Phillips' style as a pocket-pushing bull rusher. Scourton doesn't seem far off from a step forward; there's plenty of good technique, both against the run and in the rush."
Having Scourton and Phillips will give Evero a boost at the pass rush that has been missing in recent seasons, and should help the Panthers better compete in the NFC South.
