The Carolina Panthers didn't want to miss out on their top free-agent target this offseason. They paused on defensive lineman Milton Williams last year and paid the price. General manager Dan Morgan wasn't going to make the same mistake again.
Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips was their guy, and the Panthers paid a premium to get him into the building. It's a big risk, but this instantly fills Carolina's biggest need. Together with the addition of linebacker Devin Lloyd, this could transform Ejiro Evero's unit in the blink of an eye.
This was a massive statement of intent.