The Carolina Panthers have two preseason games remaining before getting the regular season started. As a result, the team’s bubble players are running out of time to earn their spots.
There are a few position battles brewing, but for the most part, we have a good idea what this roster will look like. Today, let’s take stock of the roster and look at which spots are firmly locked up already, and see which spots are still up for grabs.
Quarterback (2): Bryce Young, Kenny Pickett
There’s no drama here. Young is the starter and Pickett will be QB2. The only question with this room is whether or not Haynes King can secure a spot.
Dave Canales prefers to keep just two quarterbacks, but King has been awesome this summer. Unfortunately, he’s banged up right now, which hurts his chances.
Running Back (3): Chuba Hubbard, Jonathon Brooks, Trevor Etienne
We know Hubbard and Brooks will share the load, while Etienne will be a key piece on special teams. Assuming the team keeps four running backs, that final spot is up for grabs.
A.J. Dillon has been slightly underwhelming, and nobody else has stepped up to claim it.
Tight End (3): Darren Waller, Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans
The signing of Darren Waller changes things here. Waller obviously will make the team, and he’ll probably start. I think the veteran’s addition could be bad news for Ja’Tavion Sanders, who continues to disappoint.
If the team keeps four tight ends, Sanders probably makes it, but don’t count out Feleipe Franks.
Wide Receiver (4): Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, Brycen Tremayne
McMillan, Coker, and Legette will be the starters, and Tremayne is a key special teamer. I no longer think David Moore is a lock considering he’s done nothing this summer. Jimmy Horn Jr., John Metchie III, and Ja’seem Reed are battling hard.
If I had to guess, I’d say Moore and Reed get the final spots.
Offensive Line (7): Rasheed Walker, Damien Lewis, Luke Fortner, Robert Hunt, Monroe Freeling, Sam Hecht, Brady Christensen
We know the first five will be the starters, at least initially. When Taylor Moton and Ikem Ekwonu get back, this line will look much better. The depth is concerning right now, and I’m not confident in any of the backups.
Hecht makes it as a rookie and Christensen makes it due to his familiarity. Other than that, there are no locks here.
Defensive Line (4): Derrick Brown, Bobby Brown III, Cam Jackson, Lee Hunter
This is another group where the depth isn’t that great. Tershawn Wharton probably won’t be back anytime soon, so there are only four spots locked up.
Rookie UDFA Aaron Hall can almost be considered a lock, but he needs to show a little more.
Linebacker (7): Jaelan Phillips, Devin Lloyd, Trevin Wallace, Patrick Jones II, Princely Umanmielen, Thomas Incoom, Claudin Cherelus
The interesting thing to watch here is the other starting linebacker spot. Wallace and Cherelus are locked in a tight battle, but both should make the team regardless.
Incoom is a lock strictly due to special teams. Jackson Kuwatch and Bam Martin-Scott have both looked good this preseason, but there’s no guarantee for either of them. Trevis Gipson could lose his spot to Cam Gill.
Cornerback (5): Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson, Chau Smith-Wade, Corey Thornton, Will Lee III
Horn and Jackson are one of the best corner duos in the league. Either Smith-Wade or Thornton will be the nickel corner, and Lee will make it as a promising rookie.
There’s likely one spot available, and Akayleb Evans is the favorite. It’s possible Evans could be displaced, or the team could only keep five corners, though.
Safety (4): Tre’von Moehrig, Nick Scott, Lathan Ransom, Zakee Wheatley
Nothing to debate here. Barring injury, these will be the safeties. Veteran Isaiah Simmons could secure a spot, especially if the team keeps just five corners.
The biggest question here is whether or not Ransom or Wheatley can take Scott’s starting role.
Specialists (3): Sam Martin (P), Ryan Fitzgerald (K), J.J. Jansen (LS)
No controversy here. None of these three have any competition on the roster currently.
Analysis
Adding it all up, we have 42 spots locked in, meaning there are 11 spots still up for grabs.
The linebacker and offensive line are the position groups with the most available spots. There’s also seemingly room for a third quarterback, which is a good sign for Haynes King. The receiver battle also deserves to be watched as the team will have to part with a good player no matter what.
