​Most of the attention surrounding the Carolina Panthers’ spending spree has understandably focused on outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips, especially since he signed the franchise’s richest contract of the offseason. Yet it may be the team’s other major front-seven acquisition that yields the bigger impact in the long run. Inside linebacker Devin Lloyd arrived on a three-year deal in March, positioning himself as the new centerpiece of defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s rapidly improving unit. The Athletic’s Joe Person has highlighted Lloyd as the top breakout candidate for the Panthers this season.
Person notes that the Panthers secured edge passer Jaelan Phillips with the most lucrative deal in club history last March, while also landing Lloyd on a three-year, $45 million contract that could prove to be a bargain if Lloyd can reprise the Pro Bowl level of play he displayed in 2025. During his time with Jacksonville, Lloyd demonstrated versatility and playmaking at every level of the defense, averaging 109 tackles and collecting nine interceptions, including a career-high five in 2025. He also showed a knack for disruption as a blitzer, a dimension the Panthers had noticeably lacked at inside linebacker since Evero took over as defensive coordinator.
Whether Lloyd can sustain that level of production remains to be seen, but his 2025 numbers were undeniably impressive for the Jaguars. In 15 games, the former first-round pick totaled 81 tackles, with six for a loss, plus 1.5 sacks, 10 quarterback hits, and 15 pressures. In coverage, he allowed only one touchdown and posted a 57.1 passer rating while recording a career-high five interceptions. Lloyd’s efforts helped elevate Jacksonville to an AFC South title and earned him the Panthers’ recognition as a potential early cornerstone on defense, including a first Pro Bowl selection in his four-year NFL career.
For Carolina, the inside linebacker position has been a persistent vulnerability since the retirement of Pro Football Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly. If Lloyd can translate his 2025 form to the Panthers’ scheme and lineup, his presence could make a meaningful difference for Carolina’s defense in 2026. The Panthers are betting on Lloyd’s ability to contribute across the board—stopping the run, dropping into coverage, and pressuring the quarterback—in ways that complement Phillips and the rest of Evero’s unit.
As the season approaches, fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how Lloyd integrates with Carolina’s defensive philosophy and how consistently he can deliver the all-around production that made him a standout in Jacksonville. For ongoing Panthers coverage and more updates, follow @ThePanthersWire on X (formerly Twitter). This piece originally appeared on Panthers Wire, under the headline highlighting a major free-agent addition as Carolina’s top 2026 breakout candidate.