PRIORITY: Should the Carolina Panthers Consider Jacob Rodriguez & Other Linebacker Prospects?

Carolina Panthers eye a linebacker overhaul for the 2026 NFL Draft—could Jacob Rodriguez, CJ Allen, or Anthony Hill Jr. be the missing piece next to Devin Lloyd? Julian Council spotlights top prospects and weighs whether the Panthers recent moves signal an aggressive investment at this crucial position.

Expert guests Casey Cowan, Clint Shamblin, and Brad Kellner share insider perspectives on Rodriguez’s leadership at Texas Tech, Allen’s play-calling and Roquan Smith-level upside at Georgia, and Hill Jr.’s athleticism and untapped production from Texas. Key analysis includes Panthers draft strategy, linebacker coverage skills, and why Carolina’s linebacker legacy may rest on their 2026 pick. Can the Panthers recapture their defensive identity and build an elite duo alongside Lloyd?

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