Panthers Predicted to Trade Up for Edge in Draft Despite Signing Jaelan Phillips

The Panthers made a huge investment on a veteran pass rusher this offseason. One NFL analyst has the team making a move to obtain a promising college prospect.

Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor (3) celebrates after a sack against the Indiana Hoosiers in the third quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Carolina Panthers made strides as a team in 2025, and look like a franchise on the rise. One aspect of the club that appears to be headed backwards is a pass rush that really hasn’t bounced back from dealing sack artist Brian Burns to the New York Giants just over two years ago.

Back in 2023, the former Florida State standout finished with eight of Carolina’s NFL-low 27 sacks. A year later, the Panthers totaled a mere 32 quarterback traps. This past season, despite the addition of Patrick Jones II and the selections of Nic Scourton (2-Texas A&M) and Princely Umanmielen (3-Mississippi), Dave Canales’s club, which won the NFC South with an 8-9 record, totaled a mere 30 sacks.

At the start of free agency, Panthers' general manager Dan Morgan inked five-year edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to a four-year, $120 million deal. One NFL draft analyst feels the team will remain aggressive later this month during the draft.

Carolina Panthers predicted to trade up on April 23

Mar 31, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan during the 2026 NFL Annual League Meeting at the Arizona Biltmore. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

As of now, Morgan has the 19th overall selection. In the latest mock draft by NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, he has the team swinging a deal with the Baltimore Ravens on April 23 at Pittsburgh. The club vaults up five spots to No. 14, and the selection is University of Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor.

Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Miami defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor (DL51) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

“Carolina moves ahead of Tampa, New York (Jets) and Detroit,” explained Zierlein, “three teams that need edge help, to grab a plug-and-play pass rusher with a deep bag of tricks and relentless motor.”

The 6’3”, 259-pound defender began his six-year collegiate career at the University of West Virginia in 2020. After four seasons with the Mountaineers, he joined the Hurricanes in 2022.

Pass rusher Akheem Mesidor comes off a career season

"Mesidor is an instinctive, high-effort edge rusher with a fluid rush style and a deep toolbox,” stated Zierlein. “He bursts upfield and can shrink the corner while punishing oversetting tackles with inside counters. He strings moves together with effortless mid-rush adjustments, utilizing harmonious hands and feet to carve efficient tracks into the pocket. He’s a problem for guards when reduced inside, too.”

Jan 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Hurricanes defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor (3) celebrates after a sack against the Indiana Hoosiers in the third quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship game at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The soon-to-be 25-year-old defender comes off a monster season in which he totaled 63 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles.

“His urgency shows up in run defense,” added Zierlein, “where he uses play strength and short-area quickness to disrupt blocking schemes and stay around the football. He won’t be as long as most edge-setters and his anchor at the point is just average. The talent and motor are obvious, but his age and injury history could push some teams to discount his grade below what the tape shows.”