The Carolina Panthers, after reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2017, will now look to build upon their success heading into the 2026 NFL season.

One of the key ways that general manager Dan Morgan could help this effort is by making multiple moves on both sides of the ball this offseason. On offense, it’s clear that the Panthers could use an additional wide receiver, along with more depth within the trenches.

More importantly, however, will be addressing the defense, specifically the defensive line. 2025 second-round pick Nic Scourton is coming off a terrific rookie season, but Carolina’s current roster lacks complementary EDGE to the rising star.

While many believe that the front office could sign a veteran pass rusher, the answer may lie in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft in Auburn’s Keldric Faulk.

Prior to the 2025 college football season, Faulk was widely considered to be one of the top prospects in the upcoming draft. Standing at 6-foot-6, 270 lbs., the former SEC standout pass rusher caught the attention of many NFL scouts due to his elite frame and strong capabilities in the run game.

As a sophomore in 2024, Faulk had a breakout season with the Tigers, racking up 45 tackles, 11 tackles for losses, seven sacks, and one forced fumble. However, this would quickly change for highly-regarded defensive linemen in the 2025 college football season.

Faulk failed to live up to the hype last season, as his numbers steadily declined from his previous year. In 2025, Faulk ended the year with 29 tackles, five tackles for losses, and two sacks, which quickly became a concern around NFL circles. Now, instead of being a sure-fire, top-10 pick, Auburn’s top defender could fall into the lap of the Panthers at pick No. 19.

Looking at Faulk’s profile, the massive defensive end has proven to be an excellent defender against the run, posting an 85.5 PFF run defense grade in 2025. The main concern, however, will be his consistency in getting after the quarterback.

Luckily for the Panthers, this should not affect the team’s decision to select Faulk, as pairing him with Scourton and veteran defensive tackle Derrick Brown will help him develop as a true pass rusher at the NFL level.

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