South Charlotte Today

The Carolina Panthers have made a strategic move to strengthen their defensive line, addressing one of the team's most pressing issues. On Monday, the team reportedly agreed to terms with defensive tackles Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III. These deals will become official once the league year commences on Wednesday afternoon.

General Manager Dan Morgan has emphasized the importance of reinforcing both sides of the line of scrimmage. "Both sides of the ball, you have to win the line of scrimmage," Morgan stated. "You have to be bigger, you have to be tougher, you have to be more physical, and that's what we're looking to do around here."

While Wharton and Brown may not individually replicate the impact seen from Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis in previous seasons, their collective contribution is expected to enhance overall performance significantly. The addition of Pro Bowler Derrick Brown is also noteworthy; despite playing only 60 snaps last season due to injury, his presence is expected to bolster the line.

A'Shawn Robinson stepped up during Brown's absence last year, playing 762 snaps—significantly more than his previous high. He delivered a career-high 5.5 sacks but shouldering such a load had its drawbacks. A reduced snap count could lead to improved effectiveness.

The Panthers' struggles with run defense were evident last season as they allowed an average of 179.8 rushing yards per game—ranking last in the league by a considerable margin. In ten games, opponents exceeded 195 rushing yards against them.

Last season saw Carolina using eleven different defensive linemen throughout their campaign due to injuries and other factors. Shy Tuttle and LaBryan Ray both experienced increased workloads that stretched beyond typical expectations for rotational players.

By adding Wharton (who played 667 snaps for Kansas City) and Brown (472 snaps for Los Angeles), Carolina aims for better distribution among its roster members this upcoming season—a stark contrast from when they used only six linemen during their successful run-defense year back in 2023.

With nine draft picks still available—including eight within five rounds—the Panthers remain poised for further additions before finalizing rosters ahead of training camp later this summer.

Morgan's approach mirrors last year's strategy focused on building depth across all positions while aiming towards long-term sustainability rather than short-term fixes alone: "We're looking to build that defensive line like we built the offensive line last season."