Carolina Panthers Pro Bowl defender offers early insight on 2026 draft pick
Devin Lloyd isn’t the only new Carolina Panthers inside linebacker in organized team activities (OTAs) this summer. He’s joined by rookie Jackson Kuwatch, who was the final selection by the franchise in April’s NFL Draft.
Lloyd, a reigning Pro Bowl defender, signed a three-year, $41.9 million deal with Carolina in free agency following a career year in Jacksonville. Kuwatch, also coming off a career year at Miami (Ohio) University, was taken 227th overall by the Panthers. And despite their noticeably different contract situations and pedigrees, the pair of new arrivals have worked together within the same position room over the past few weeks.
So far, Kuwatch — an underdog of sorts as a seventh-round pick — has left a positive first impression on his veteran teammate.
“Long, athletic and curious,” Lloyd said. “Very humble. He wants to get better. He wants to learn — wants to grow. He wants to get it right.”
Kuwatch, who began his college career at Ohio State, is a self-proclaimed “film junkie.” He grew up in the Cincinnati area and was inspired by soon-to-be Hall of Fame linebacker Luke Kuechly. So, it’s no surprise that he is willing to put in the work to get better at his position.
Still, the 6-foot-4, 232-pound linebacker is inexperienced, even by NFL rookie standards. While his college career spanned five seasons, he only played substantial linebacker snaps during his final campaign with the RedHawks last year.
So, there’s a significant learning curve during Kuwatch’s first NFL offseason program.
“He’s got the frame, and so really, it’s about refining all the little techniques,” Lloyd said. “He’s still learning the scheme — NFL scheme is different from college — so in that regard he’s got a ways to go. But he’s got the frame, he’s got the mental ability to go out and be successful. So, it’s just a day-to-day process with him, but he’s hungry, he’s eager to learn, and he’s going to continue to grow and get better every day.”
Kuwatch is battling for a backup spot at inside linebacker. While Lloyd and 2024 third-round pick Trevin Wallace are expected to start at the position, Kuwatch is competing with the likes of Claudin Cherelus, Bam Martin-Scott and Maema Njongmeta for a spot on the depth chart.
Special teams success will be the key to Kuwatch making the 53-man roster in August. But it wouldn’t hurt if he flashed on defense as well, especially with an extra preseason game on tap.
Of course, learning from Lloyd can only help Kuwatch’s cause.
