The Carolina Panthers have played three preseason games already. As a result, we can feel like we know a good bit about this team.
It seems like the vast majority of roster spots are locked up, but there are definitely some spots at the bottom still being fought hard for. With just one preseason game remaining, those players are running out of time to prove themselves.
It would be nice if the Panthers could enter the season with no major questions, but that’s just not realistic. Some questions will have to be answered before cut day, though, so let’s see what those are.
Will Dave Canales Keep Three Quarterbacks?
We know Dave Canales likes to keep two quarterbacks on the main roster. Earlier this offseason, it seemed obvious that would be the case again, with Bryce Young and Kenny Pickett making it.
However, undrafted free agent Haynes King has changed the roster math. King put on an awesome display in the Hall of Fame Game. Off of that performance alone, King seemed likely to make the team. The problem is, King suffered an injury and hasn’t played since.
If King gets healthy, will the Panthers keep him around? Did he show enough in that one game to secure a spot? If not, the Panthers are going to have to be comfortable risking losing him on waivers.
Has A.J. Dillon Done Enough to Earn a Spot?
There’s no guarantee the Panthers keep four running backs, especially if they keep three quarterbacks. We know Chuba Hubbard, Jonathon Brooks, and Trevor Etienne are making the team, but what about A.J. Dillon?
Dillon has had some chances while Hubbard is out with injury, and the veteran has largely looked the part. Dillon has shown off some receiving ability during the preseason, and he’s had some nice, punishing runs.
Will that be enough to make the team? It’ll be tough.
Can Jimmy Horn Jr., John Metchie III, and Ja’seem Reed All Make the Team?
Ja’seem Reed has been one of the stars of camp. Reed has impressed at every turn, and he’s earned constant praise from the coaching staff. The problem is, the receiver depth chart is crowded at the bottom.
Plus. Jimmy Horn Jr. and John Metchie III have been just as impressive. It will be very hard to keep all three, especially if the Panthers only keep six receivers. We know Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, and Xavier Legette will make the team, and Brycen Tremayne and David Moore are loved by the coaching staff.
It will be interesting to see if that trio has done enough to make the team comfortable parting with Tremayne and Moore.
Is the Offensive Line Depth Good Enough?
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It’ll be interesting to see how the Panthers handle the offensive line on cut day. Will they leave room for a waiver claim or free agent signing? I believe it’s possible because the depth linemen have been disappointing.
Brady Christensen and Sam Hecht played better in the third preseason game, but there’s not much proven talent behind the starters. Is the team going to be comfortable rolling with Stone Forsythe or Albert Reese as the backup tackle? Can Chandler Zavala rebound and make the team again on the interior?
Has Cam Gill Done Enough to Secure a Spot?
Cam Gill has been working tirelessly to prove himself. The edge rusher just set the UFL single-season sack record, and he’s carried that momentum with him to the NFL.
Gill has multiple sacks this preseason, several pressures, and he recovered a fumble in the most recent preseason game. The edge rusher has done more than Trevis Gipson, Jeremiah Moon, or Isaiah Smith this summer, so it seems like he has a great shot to stick around.
It will be interesting to see how these final spots are handled. We know Jaelan Phillips, Patrick Jones II, Princely Umanmielen, and Thomas Incoom are making it, so there’s probably only one spot up for grabs.
Can Isaiah Simmons Steal a Spot?
Isaiah Simmons has kind of gone under the radar this summer. The former top draft pick is trying to stick around in the league after having a few disappointing seasons.
Simmons has been okay in the preseason, playing as a safety/linebacker hybrid. It’s a little discouraging that he hasn’t been able to do more, considering the depth is questionable. The veteran making the team or not will depend on whether the team sees him more as a safety or a linebacker.
It’s a little surprising that Simmons hasn’t been given a chance at the linebacker spot next to Devin Lloyd, given the uncertainty there. Simmons could end up either being a key rotational piece or playing for a different team; it’s hard to tell at this point.
