​The Carolina Panthers are fresh off one of their best seasons in years. In 2025, they won the NFC South and punched their ticket to the playoffs.While they fell to the Los Angeles Rams in the Wild Card round, it set a foundation for Dave Canales’ team.  Although the Panthers won the division, they did so with an 8-9 record and through tiebreakers.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementSo there’s certainly room to improve here in 2026.In free agency, the Panthers took some steps in doing that by making two big signings on the defensive side of the ball. The biggest move came when signing pass rusher Jaelan Phillips to a big deal. But they also added former Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd as well.With the attention on the Phillips’ signing, it’s Lloyd who is being considered a potential breakout candidate for the Panthers.Joe Person of The Athletic named Lloyd as his breakout candidate for the Panthers in the 2026 season. Here is what Person had to say about Lloyd:AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Panthers gave edge rusher Jaelan Phillips the most lucrative contract in franchise history last March, while getting Lloyd on a three-year, $45 million deal that may prove to be a steal if Lloyd repeats his Pro Bowl form from 2025. Lloyd made plays at every level of Jacksonville’s defense, averaging 109 tackles while collecting nine interceptions, including a career-high five in ‘25. Lloyd also showed he could be disruptive as a blitzer, something the Panthers have lacked at the inside linebacker spot since Ejiro Evero took over as defensive coordinator.Lloyd is coming off a big season in 2025, earning a Pro Bowl nod. That earned him a good deal but one that could be more valuable for the Panthers if he’s able to play at a high level.For the Panthers, adding more to that defense was key this offseason. It’s a defense led by Derrick Brown but it needs more playmakers, especially in pass rush/blitz situations.  That’s where both Phillips and Lloyd can be huge additions for the team and change the dynamic of Carolina’s defensive unit this season.