Dowdle, Brown among Carolina Panthers players worthy of Pro Bowl consideration
The Panthers are having their best season in years. And that success could lead to some national recognition for their standout players.
Following a thrilling 31-28 win over the Los Angeles Rams, the Panthers are resting up on their bye week. And while the process blue crew recovers from a 7-6 start, NFL Pro Bowl Games voting is underway.
Given the way the season has gone so far, Carolina has quite a few standouts worth considering as fan fill out their ballots.
Here are five Panthers players worthy of your Pro Bowl vote:
DE Derrick Brown
Brown’s stats won’t surprise anyone this year. But after missing all but one game in 2024, Brown has shown his importance to defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero’s trench group in 2025.
The 2023 Pro Bowl selection has four sacks — including a big one Sunday on Matthew Stafford that caused a game-clinching fumble — and seven pass breakups (most among defensive linemen) through 13 games. Those marks are swell, but Brown’s impact also comes from what he does away from the ball, as he sets up others to attack opposing offenses. Brown has the ability to throw around opposing linemen and take on double teams. That’s allowed the likes of Nic Scourton, A’Shawn Robinson and Tershawn Wharton to make plays next to him.
The Panthers are a much better run defense with Brown around, and really, that’s been accounted for in how improved the unit has been this year.
RB Rico Dowdle
Dowdle is on pace for a career year after putting together massive performances in wins against the Miami Dolphins (WK5) and Dallas Cowboys (WK6) in the first half of season. Since then, he’s cooled off considerably, but the former Cowboys running back is still among the top 10 rushers with 929 rushing yards.
While the Panthers are trying to establish a two-back rotation with Chuba Hubbard, Dowdle has shown more flash as both a runner and receiver when given opportunities.
Against the Rams, Dowdle collected 58 rushing yards and 21 receiving yards. He now has 1,213 scrimmage yards heading into the bye week. He has produced six total touchdowns through 13 games.
CB Jaycee Horn
Horn missed Sunday’s win with a concussion. Otherwise, he’s been quite durable, rarely appearing on the injury report during his fourth NFL season. After making his first Pro Bowl last year, Horn has been considerably better at creating turnovers this season. He has a career-high five interceptions — second most in the NFL — through 12 games this year, which accounts for 50% of his career total through 49 career games.
The interception numbers, along with his first-round pedigree, should help Horn repeat his all-star ascension, barring another injury down the stretch.
LG Damien Lewis
Lewis has been the Panthers’ best offensive lineman this year. He has been sturdy as a pass blocker and punishing as a run blocker. When looking at Dowdle’s stats on the ground, it’s important to consider how much the running back has churned up the middle, with Lewis either leading the charge or pulling to open up space for the other blockers.
The Panthers have allowed 30 sacks on the season. Lewis has done a nice job of anchoring against opposing interior pass rushers like Atlanta’s Ruke Orhorhoro and Dallas’s Kenny Clark — among others — proving his worth a two-way blocker. He’s been a standout, despite the constant turnstiles around him on the line.
WR Tetairoa McMillan
The first-round pick has lived up to his draft billing in a big way. Through 13 games, he’s amassed 57 catches for 826 yards (14.5 yards per catch) and six touchdowns. And while he’s had his fair share of rookie moments, it’s clear McMillan is a legitimate No. 1 wideout in the NFL.
McMillan has been a big-play threat and an excellent possession weapon for QB Bryce Young. He’s among the rookie leaders in catches and receiving yards, and he’s also putting himself in position to be a top-10 overall receiver in Year 1.
Three other names to consider
ST Thomas Incoom: The third-year linebacker has surged as the Panthers’ best special teams contributor this season. Incoom was nominated by the team to be voted into the Pro Bowl this year, and he’s more than deserved the nod among his peers. Through 13 games, Incoom has collected a team-high 14 special teams tackles.
P Sam Martin: The experienced specialist has been about as consistent as it gets at the punter position. While he had some rough moments against New England in Week 4, he’s been pretty dependable otherwise. He’s punted 44 times with 20 landing within the opponent’s 20-yard line, which is a 45.4% rate.
S Tre’von Moehrig: His prime time groin punch and subsequent suspension probably won’t do him any favors beyond Charlotte, but the versatile safety has been a tackles-for-loss machine in his first season with the Panthers. He’s also been able to make standout plays at three different positions (box safety, nickel corner and dime linebacker) within Evero’s defense. Through 12 games, Moehrig has 81 tackles (10 for loss), two pass breakups, a sack and an interception. His standout performance against Green Bay in Week 9 earned him an NFC Defensive Player of the Week nod.
