The Carolina Panthers are busy preparing for their second preseason game this weekend. The team already took the field once, knocking off the Arizona Cardinals in the Hall of Fame Game.
This second preseason matchup will be a chance for players on the bubble to make another case to make the team. It will be interesting to see who can keep their positive momentum going, or perhaps who can force their way into the roster conversation.
It's been a couple of weeks since our last 53-man roster projection, and some things have changed since then. Today, let's do a new projection ahead of the second preseason matchup.
Quarterback (2): Bryce Young, Kenny Pickett
Haynes King was incredibly impressive in the Hall of Fame Game. The problem is, the rookie got hurt in that game and is expected to miss a week or two. As a result, it's hard to predict him to make the team.
If King was healthy, I'd have him on the roster. For now, we'll just roll with Bryce Young and Kenny Pickett.
Running Back (4): Chuba Hubbard, Jonathon Brooks, Trevor Etienne, Miles Davis
The top three remain the same, but the fourth spot gets switched up. We had A.J. Dillon making it last time, but Miles Davis was the best running back in the Hall of Fame Game.
It's still an uphill battle for Davis, but I'm predicting that he will keep the momentum going. We know what Dillon is at this point, while Davis has intriguing potential.
Tight End (3): Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, Ja'Tavion Sanders
This is probably the most uninspiring position group on the team. Ja'Tavion Sanders was seen as a breakout candidate, but he's now behind Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans on the depth chart.
Feleipe Franks has a real shot due to his special teams efforts, but I have him just missing out.
Wide Receiver (6): Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, David Moore, Brycen Tremayne, Ja'seem Reed
Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
This could be considered a bold choice here. I have Ja'seem Reed making the team and Jimmy Horn Jr. and John Metchie III getting cut. McMillan, Coker, Legette, and Moore are locks, while Tremayne is close to a lock due to special teams.
That likely means there's only one spot for Reed, Metchie, or Horn. Reed has been getting praised all summer and I think he's talented enough to parlay that into a roster spot.
Offensive Line (9): Rasheed Walker, Damien Lewis, Luke Fortner, Robert Hunt, Monroe Freeling, Sam Hecht, Chandler Zavala, Brady Christensen, Stone Forsythe
PUP/IR: Taylor Moton, Ikem Ekwonu
The only change here is Brady Christensen replacing Saahdiq Charles. Charles had a good camp, but he's now injured. Isaia Glass is a name to watch as well, as he's performed well on the interior.
Albert Reese is likely ticketed for the practice squad.
Defensive Line (6): Derrick Brown, Lee Hunter, Cam Jackson, Bobby Brown III, Jared Harrison-Hunte, Aaron Hall
© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
PUP/IR: Tershawn Wharton
LaBryan Ray surprisingly retired, which opens up a spot. For now, Jared Harrison-Hunte gets that spot. The lineman had a nice Hall of Fame Game, collecting one of the team's two sacks.
Elijah Garcia is another name to watch as he's had a string of good practices lately. It also wouldn't be surprising to see an outside addition made here.
Outside Linebackers (5): Jaelan Phillips, Patrick Jones II, Princely Umanmielen, Trevis Gipson, Cam Gill
The first four spots here seem locked up. The fifth spot is between Thomas Incoom and Cam Gill, among others, but I like Gill for it right now. Gill just led the UFL in sacks and he's carried that over to the Panthers with some nice performances this summer.
It will be interesting to see if this group can withstand the loss of Nic Scourton.
Inside Linebackers (5): Devin Lloyd, Trevin Wallace, Claudin Cherelus, Bam Martin-Scott, Jackson Kuwatch
Unless there's an outside addition made, this seems like the five who will make the team. Wallace and Cherelus are battling for the starting job, Martin-Scott has had a great summer, and Kuwatch is a rookie special teamer.
Cornerbacks (6): Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson, Corey Thornton, Chau Smith-Wade, Will Lee III, Akayleb Evans
No changes here. Horn and Jackson form one of the best starting duos in the league, while Thornton and Smith-Wade are battling for the nickel job.
The team experimented with the rookie Lee as a starter, but he struggled in the Hall of Fame Game. Either way, he'll be on the team and will play some role.
Safeties (4): Tre’von Moehrig, Nick Scott, Zakee Wheatley, Lathan Ransom
The only big cut here is veteran Isaiah Simmons. I just don't see a roster spot for him, as Wheatley and Ransom obviously aren't getting cut.
This is another spot, however, where an outside addition would be nice. Starting Scott again isn't ideal.
Specialists (3): Ryan Fitzgerald, Sam Martin, J.J. Jansen
Nothing to change here.
