The Carolina Panthers are being predicted to make a rather risky move for this pass rusher.
The Carolina Panthers absolutely need to find multiple pass rushers this offseason, and the good news is that there will be plenty available both in free agency and via the NFL Draft.
There might even be some intriguing options on the trade market for the Panthers.
The primary focus for Carolina, however, should be on the draft, which is slated to be flush with pass-rushing talent.
Many are anticipating that the Panthers will select an edge rusher with the 19th overall pick next month, but Joseph Person of The Athletic views it a bit differently.
Person actually does not expect Carolina to nab a pass rusher until the third round, predicting the Panthers to select Auburn Tigers star Keyron Crawford at No. 96.
Person specifically noted that while Carolina has been linked to fellow Auburn edge rusher Keldric Faulk in many mock drafts, he actually feels Crawford could end up being the better fit.
"But Crawford had more production than Faulk last season, finishing with more tackles, sacks, tackles for loss and passes defended than his more publicized teammate," Person wrote. "Not bad for someone who didn’t start playing football until his senior year at his Memphis high school."
Keyron Crawford. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.Crawford registered 36 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, five sacks and an interception in 2025, his second season at Auburn.
The 6-foot-4, 253-pound Crawford began his career at Arkansas State in 2022 and spent two seasons there before transferring to Auburn in 2024.
Over the course of his collegiate career, Crawford totaled 116 tackles, 24 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks, demonstrating impressive potential.
Of course, the question is whether or not the Panthers would actually wait until the third round (and more specifically, their fourth pick in the draft overall) to finally select an edge rusher?
Unless Carolina pulls off a blockbuster move for Trey Hendrickson or Maxx Crosby, it doesn't seem very likely that general manager Dan Morgan will be that patient when it comes to filling what is arguably the team's biggest need.
Crawford is an interesting piece for sure, but it only makes sense to take him if the Panthers have already landed a significant pass rusher elsewhere.
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