Devin Lloyd Named Panthers' Top Breakout Candidate After Free-Agent Move
Carolina expects his blend of blitzing and coverage skills to strengthen a long-troubled inside linebacker spot.
Overview
- The Panthers signed Devin Lloyd to a three-year free-agent contract in March to reinforce their inside linebacker group.
- Outlet reporting differs on the exact value of Lloyd’s deal, with publications listing either $45 million or $42 million over three years.
- League evaluators placed Lloyd among the top-10 off-ball linebackers in ESPN’s 2026 survey, and The Athletic’s Joe Person picked him as Carolina’s top breakout candidate for 2026.
- Lloyd earned a Pro Bowl nod after a 2025 breakout with the Jacksonville Jaguars that included career highs in pressures and five interceptions.
- Carolina views Lloyd’s ability to blitz and play multiple linebacker roles as a key complement to offseason additions such as edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and a way to address lingering interior linebacker weaknesses.