CHARLOTTE, N.C. — During NFL roster projection season, there usually are about 45 of the 53 spots the armchair general managers feel pretty confident about. It’s the other eight spots or so where things get tricky.
But things are a bit more challenging for those who cover the Carolina Panthers this summer because there’s no track record to lean on for the guys making the decisions. General manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales are both in their first year in their positions.
Advertisem*nt
Throw in the fact that the Panthers’ roster has undergone considerable churn since the blink-and-you-missed-it Frank Reich era and the two preseason games remaining this month and it’s safe to say the later versions of the 53-man roster projection will look different than this first iteration. But here goes:
Quarterback (2)
On: Bryce Young, Andy Dalton
Notable cuts: Jack Plummer, Jake Luton
Toughest call: N/A
This one’s a layup. The Panthers need to know by the end of the season whether Young is the guy. So he’s going to get all the reps as long as he’s healthy, the preseason games notwithstanding. Dalton is an experienced and capable backup who looked good against Seattle last year in his only action. When Dalton returns from a quad injury, he’s the clear No. 2/mentor to Young. The only intrigue, such as it is, centers on whether Plummer or the more experienced Luton will be the practice squad QB. Based on the exhibition opener at New England, it will be Luton.
GO DEEPERPanthers preseason report: With starters sitting, some players help themselves, others don'tRunning back (3)
On: Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, Raheem Blackshear
Notable cuts: Mike Boone
Toughest call: Whether to have Jonathon Brooks begin the year on the physically unable to perform list.
Canales liked the way Boone ran last week against the Patriots, when he was one of the few bright spots on offense. But the new kickoff rules have placed a premium on return specialists, which should give Blackshear the edge. Brooks is progressing in his return from the ACL surgery he underwent following his final season at Texas. But he’s still not close to practicing and Canales has said the team will take it slow with the second-round pick. So it’s almost a certainty Brooks will start on PUP, meaning Week 5 would be the earliest he could return.
Tight end (4)
On: Tommy Tremble, Ian Thomas, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Jordan Matthews
Advertisem*nt
Notable cuts: N/A
Toughest call: Getting clarity on Thomas’ status.
A revolving door has been needed for the tight end room — that or direct access to the training room. Tremble (hamstring) and Thomas (calf) — the top two on the depth chart — remain sidelined, while the Panthers reached an injury settlement last week with Stephen Sullivan. The injuries forced Morgan to bring in reinforcements like former Florida QB Feleipe Franks and ex-Seahawk Jacob Hollister. They also have meant more opportunities for Sanders, the fourth-round pick from Texas, and the 32-year-old Matthews. Both have taken advantage of the first-team reps.
Wide receiver (6)
On: Adam Thielen, Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, David Moore
Notable cuts: Terrace Marshall Jr., Jalen co*ker
Toughest calls: The last two spots at the position.
Marshall and Mingo have had strong camps, but had bad drops when they were wide open in the first half at Foxboro. Both are former second-round picks but it’s hard to see the Panthers moving on this quickly from Mingo, especially with the progress he’s shown in his second training camp. Moore isn’t flashy, but the 29-year-old has been with Canales at his two previous stops in Seattle and Tampa. Canales trusts Moore, referring to him as “Steady Eddie” on Sunday. Smith-Marsette has speed and return ability working in his favor. Some in the organization like co*ker, and the undrafted free agent from Holy Cross would be a no-brainer for the practice squad if he clears waivers.
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 10, 2024
Offensive line (9)
On: Taylor Moton (T), Ikem Ekwonu (T), Robert Hunt (G), Damien Lewis (G), Austin Corbett (C), Brady Christensen (G/T), Chandler Zavala (G), Ricky Lee (T), player not currently on roster
Notable cuts: G/C Cade Mays, G Nash Jensen
Toughest call: How long will Yosh Nijman be out?
Canales updated Nijman’s status Sunday, and it wasn’t great news for the veteran or the tackle group. The Panthers signed Nijman to a two-year, $8 million deal in March to serve as the swing tackle and provide insurance behind Moton and Ekwonu, the Charlotte native who struggled mightily in 2023. Nijman has yet to practice and Canales said he still has a ways to go after undergoing a reinforcement surgery in his leg. Nijman, who had 22 starts in four seasons in Green Bay, appears headed for the PUP list or injured reserve. Given how Lee and Badara Traore looked against the Patriots, expect Morgan to pluck at least one tackle off the waiver wire at final cuts. On the interior, Mays has position flexibility and could claim one of the final spots if he recovers quickly from his shoulder sprain.
Advertisem*nt
Defensive line (6)
On: Derrick Brown, A’Shawn Robinson, Shy Tuttle, T.J. Smith, Nick Thurman, LaBryan Ray
Notable cuts: N/A
Toughest call: Could Panthers try to get Jaden Crumedy through waivers?
The Panthers’ signing of Smith after a May workout did not move the meter. After all, the 27-year-old had appeared in just four games in three seasons with the Vikings after a year on the Chargers’ practice squad. But Smith has turned in a solid camp, highlighted by his sack of Bailey Zappe in the first exhibition. Smith’s emergence has coincided with the absence of Ray, who’s been out around a week with an illness. The rookie Crumedy also has been sidelined: The sixth-round pick sustained a high ankle sprain at New England, which could impact the roster status of the 6-5, 305-pounder from Mississippi State.
Outside linebacker (5)
On: Jadeveon Clowney, K’Lavon Chaisson, DJ Johnson, Eku Leota, player not currently on roster
Notable cuts: N/A
Toughest call: Can the Panthers count on the injured edge guys?
This looked like the Panthers’ weakest position group entering camp, and nothing has changed three weeks later. Clowney has made life miserable for the offensive line and Young, who had a pass batted high into the air by the 6-5 Clowney during Saturday’s practice. But Ejiro Evero is still waiting on D.J. Wonnum and Amare Barno, who have yet to practice following offseason surgeries. The Panthers held edge workouts before signing Kemoko Turay, who went on IR 10 days later with a hamstring issue. The Panthers hold the top spot on the waiver wire through Week 3. It would be surprising if they don’t use it to grab another OLB.
Inside linebacker (5)
On: Shaq Thompson, Josey Jewell, Trevin Wallace, Claudin Cherelus, Tae Davis
Notable cuts: Michael Barrett, Chandler Wooten
Toughest call: Waiving a 2024 draft pick.
Advertisem*nt
Like every year, the decision on this group’s backups will be impacted by their prowess on special teams. That’s even more important this summer with the new kickoff rules. So while the first three players here are locks — Thompson, Jewell and the third-rounder Wallace — the other spots seem to be more fluid and could go down to the wire. Davis and Wooten have special teams experience, while Cherelus has been getting a lot of second-team reps on defense. Barrett was a starter and defensive captain on Michigan’s national championship team last season. But he lacks size and hasn’t made many plays at camp.
D’Shawn Jamison played in 15 games as a rookie last season with the Panthers and totaled 10 tackles. (Brian Fluharty / USA Today)
Cornerback (6)
On: Jaycee Horn, Dane Jackson, Troy Hill, Chau Smith-Wade, D’Shawn Jamison, player not currently on roster
Notable cuts: Dicaprio Bootle, Lamar Jackson
Toughest calls: Jamison over Bootle and Jackson.
The Panthers probably won’t go into Week 1 with six corners on the active roster. But with so many injury questions at other positions, that’s how the math fell in this exercise. Like edge rusher, most observers had questions about the Panthers’ corners and expected them to add outside help. You might have heard Stephon Gilmore’s name a time or two. But backups such as Lamar Jackson held their own against the Patriots. And while Jamison gave up a big play early in the game, Canales was pleased with how he bounced back and cleaned up his coverage later.
Safety (4)
On: Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller, Nick Scott, Alex Cook
Notable cut: Jammie Robinson
Toughest call: Cook over Robinson for the final spot.
Even with Sam Franklin going down with a broken foot, safety is one of the deepest position groups on the roster. So much so that Cook’s excellent play this summer could push Robinson, a fifth-round pick in 2023, off the bubble. Canales pointed to Cook’s open-field tackles against the Patriots when talking about players who helped themselves in the preseason opener. Robinson is a big hitter despite his small frame, but there might not be room for him.
Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox.
Free, daily NFL updates direct to your inbox.
Specialists (3)
On: Eddy Pineiro (K), Johnny Hekker (P), JJ Jansen (LS)
Notable cut: N/A
Toughest call: None after Sunday’s transaction.
The Panthers’ kicking competition ended Sunday when they released undrafted free-agent Harrison Mevis. The “Thiccer Kicker” went 3-of-5 on field goals Sunday, including a miss from about 50 yards that bounced off the crossbar. Pineiro has made 23 of 25 field goals in camp, compared to 22 of 28 for Mevis. And while Pineiro might not have the biggest leg, he’s been plenty accurate, which will be a factor in placing kickoffs in the new landing zone.
(Top photo of Jalen co*ker, left, and Ihmir Smith-Marsette: Fred Kfoury III / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Joe Person is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the Carolina Panthers. He has covered the team since 2010, previously for the Charlotte Observer. A native of Williamsport, Pa., Joe is a graduate of William & Mary, known for producing presidents and NFL head coaches. Follow Joseph on X @josephperson Follow Joseph on Twitter @josephperson
