The Carolina Panthers went into this past offseason with the mindset to be more aggressive than they had been under general manager Dan Morgan.
Coming off an NFC South title, the Panthers and Morgan did just that, signing or drafting numerous contributors and impact players who have flashed in the team's first four games. Some of those acquisitions were, and still are, seen as big gambles for the franchise.
But these three, in particular, are already proving that Morgan was right to trust his instincts.
Carolina Panthers gambles already proving Dan Morgan was right to trust his instincts
Darren Waller, TE
When the Panthers signed Darren Waller as late as they did during training camp, it was unclear if he would make the 53-man roster for strategic purposes or how much of an impact he would have.
Four games into his tenure with Carolina, Waller is already nearing the halfway point of his 2025 yardage with the Miami Dolphins and scored twice against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 2.
The veteran tight end has proven to be a legitimate red-zone weapon and security blanket for quarterback Bryce Young. When he isn't catching the ball, he is still respected enough to command significant attention, freeing up space for others.
Despite his age and injury history, Waller is becoming a nice rental and payoff for Morgan.
Jaelan Phillips, OLB
The Panthers signed arguably the two biggest free agents this spring, edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd. The team made a big gamble on the former, signing him to a four-year, $120 million deal averaging $30 million per season.
With Phillips' injury history and lack of 10-sack seasons, Carolina hoped his familiarity with a Vic Fangio system and pressure rate would translate. So far, the veteran pass rusher has been a perfect fit.
The 2021 first-round pick has 14 pressures and two sacks through four games, but his impact has been immediate against the run and in one-on-one rush opportunities. Phillips is one of the most important players to the Panthers' success so far in 2026.
Will Lee III, CB
When the selection was made, it was an odd, somewhat unexpected choice. However, the Panthers were likely viewing their selection of cornerback Will Lee III as a long-term development project to potentially take over for Mike Jackson Sr. as an insurance policy.
After a horrific debut against the Chicago Bears, Lee has spent the last three games improving his zone coverage technique while fine-tuning his man coverage skills. With Jaycee Horn and Jackson out for the foreseeable future due to injuries, the Texas A&M product has stepped into the No. 1 cornerback role as a fourth-round selection.
Lee's play has been impressive for the last two weeks, working inside-out at nickel and the boundary. His performances have been admirable, and the growth is notable.
Let's hope this continues with a tough slate of games ahead.
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