Panthers 53-Man Roster Projection After One Week of Training Camp

The Carolina Panthers are busy preparing for a crucial 2026 season. We've already gone through one week of training camp, and we're now just over a month away from the regular season.

Expectations are higher in Carolina after winning the division last season. The team was able to make a few noticeable improvements this offseason, and the hope is that Bryce Young continues to improve. If that happens, you won't be able to count this team out.

There's been enough training camp action now for us to get a good idea of what the final roster could look like. Today, let's do our first 53-man roster projection and see where the team stands.

Quarterback (2): Bryce Young, Kenny Pickett

Dave Canales has preferred to roll with two quarterbacks on the roster, and Young doesn't have an extensive history to worry about. For now, Kenny Pickett gets the backup spot, but he needs to perform better than he has so far.

The Panthers recently brought in Kyle Trask for a workout, and Trask has played under Canales before. It will be interesting to monitor, but for now, Pickett gets the job, while Haynes King goes to the practice squad.

Running Back (4): Chuba Hubbard, Jonathon Brooks, Trevor Etienne, A.J. Dillon

Jonathon Brooks is my breakout pick for the Panthers' offense. Don't be surprised if the Texas product ends the season as the lead back now that he's healthy. Brooks, Chuba Hubbard, and Trevor Etienne are all locks, but what about the fourth slot?

There's no guarantee the Panthers keep four, but for now, A.J. Dillon survives. It would be nice to have a third-down back on the roster, and depth could matter given Brooks' injury history.

Tight End (3): Ja'Tavion Sanders, Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans

This is an uninspiring position group, there's no doubt about it. I don't see the team keeping a fourth, but Feleipe Franks is at least interesting due to his special teams prowess.

Mitchell Evans is the x-factor here. If the Notre Dame product takes a step forward, he could claim the TE1 role soon.

Wide Receiver (6): Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, Chris Brazzell II, David Moore, Brycen Tremayne

The first four spots on the depth chart are locked in, and David Moore is very close to being a lock at the fifth spot. This leaves the likes of John Metchie III, Brycen Tremayne, Jimmy Horn Jr., and others competing for one or two spots.

For now, we'll give the spot to Tremayne due to his value on special teams. It would be hard to cut Metchie and Horn, but I think special teams ends up being the difference. This also assumed Chris Brazzell isn't put on IR after his recent injury.

Offensive Line (9): Rasheed Walker, Damien Lewis, Luke Fortner, Robert Hunt, Monroe Freeling, Sam Hecht, Chandler Zavala, Saahdiq Charles, Stone Forsythe

PUP/IR: Taylor Moton, Ikem Ekwonu

This is tricky considering Ikem Ekwonu probably isn't coming back until at least the midseason mark, and we have no timetable for Taylor Moton. Monroe Freeling is in line to start at right tackle as a rookie, while Rasheed Walker will be at left tackle.

Hecht could still beat out Fortner for the starting center job, but both guys will make it regardless. Saahdiq Charles has impressed at camp, but he and Stone Forsythe could lose their spots once Moton and Ekwonu get healthy.

Defensive Line (6): Derrick Brown, Lee Hunter, Bobby Brown III, LaBryan Ray, Aaron Hall, Cam Jackson

PUP/IR: Tershawn Wharton

This defensive line will be interesting to keep an eye on. Bobby Brown III and Tershawn Wharton are dealing with injuries, and Wharton, in particular, could be out for a while.

Due to Wharton's injury, we'll have undrafted free agent Aaron Hall and 2025 fifth-rounder Cam Jackson sticking around. LaBryan Ray is trusted by the coaching staff, so he'll stick around as well.

Outside Linebackers (5): Patrick Jones II, Jaelan Phillips, Princely Umanmielen, Trevis Gipson, Thomas Incoom

This room takes a big hit with Nic Scourton being out for the year. We wouldn't be surprised to see an outside addition made to the room before Week 1. It's also possible the Panthers stand pat and hope for a breakout from Princely Umanmielen.

If the Panthers make an outside addition, Trevis Gipson or Thomas Incoom would be bumped out.

Inside Linebackers (5): Devin Lloyd, Trevin Wallace, Claudin Cherilus, Bam Martin-Scott, Jackson Kuwatch

This group will be led by new addition Devin Lloyd, and if he plays as expected, the middle of the defense will be in good hands. It will be interesting to see if Trevin Wallace can finally take a step forward as well.

Behind that duo, the depth isn't great, but it's at least interesting. I have veteran Isaiah Simmons narrowly missing out on a spot.

Cornerbacks (6): Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson, Corey Thornton, Chau Smith-Wade, Will Lee III, Akayleb Evans

Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson could be one of the best starting duos in the league. It will be interesting to see whether Chau Smith-Wade can take the starting nickel job away from Corey Thornton as well.

If the Panthers keep six here, Akayleb Evans should get the final spot. Evans has turned into a solid special teamer, which the Panthers value.

Safeties (4): Tre'von Moehrig, Nick Scott, Zakee Wheatley, Lathan Ransom

This group already feels final. The only question here is whether or not Zakee Wheatley can still the starting gig away from Nick Scott.

Specialists (3): Ryan Fitzgerald, Sam Martin, J.J. Jansen

None of these players have any competition on the roster right now. Barring injury, these will be the specialists.