Now that we’re in July, the month where NFL players begin to return from their summer breaks, it’s time to take another crack at predicting the Carolina Panthers roster.
So, here are our pre-training camp projections for the 2023 53-man squad.
Quarterback (3)
- Matt Corral
- Andy Dalton
- Bryce Young
The return of the NFL’s emergency quarterback rule gives Corral a longer shelf life on the roster. He wouldn’t technically be ruled active on game days, but could get some action in the event that both Young and Dalton go down with injuries.
Running back (3)
- Raheem Blackshear
- Chuba Hubbard
- Miles Sanders
Not only does Blackshear give the Panthers an option in the return game, but he also presents some upside as a pass catcher. Through 50 games at the college level, the shifty 5-foot-9, 194-pounder reeled in 123 balls for 1,213 yards (9.9 yards per reception) and seven scores.
Wide receiver (6)
- Damiere Byrd
- DJ Chark
- Terrace Marshall Jr.
- Jonathan Mingo
- Laviska Shenault Jr.
- Adam Thielen
If Carolina sticks to six wideouts, the last spot may very well be a battle between Byrd, Shi Smith and Marquez Stevenson. Byrd’s track-star speed, which could be of use on returns and in taking tops of opposing defenses, is the differentiator here.
Tight end (4)
- Hayden Hurst
- Giovanni Ricci
- Ian Thomas
- Tommy Tremble
Ricci’s versatility as both a tight end and a fullback pushes Stephen Sullivan out of the group.
Offensive line (8)
- Bradley Bozeman
- Brady Christensen
- Ikem Ekwonu
- Cameron Erving
- Cade Mays
- Justin McCray
- Taylor Moton
- Chandler Zavala
Starting right guard Austin Corbett, who’s still healing up from a torn ACL, is likely to begin the campaign on the injured reserve. His status will likely build the case for McCray—who not only has the most NFL experience at the position amongst the backups, but can also line up at center in a pinch.
Defensive line (5)
- Henry Anderson
- Derrick Brown
- Marquan McCall
- Shy Tuttle
- DeShawn Williams
The spot behind Tuttle as the backup nose tackle will see McCall, Bravvion Roy and John Penisini fight it out. McCall’s upside, especially at a hulking 6-foot-3 and 344 pounds, gives him the edge.
Linebacker (9)
- Amaré Barno
- Brian Burns
- Yetur Gross-Matos
- Kamu Grugier-Hill
- Marquis Haynes Sr.
- DJ Johnson
- Frankie Luvu
- Brandon Smith
- Shaq Thompson
Chandler Wooten, who was relied upon as a solid special teamer in 2022, just misses the cut. The free-agent signing Grugier-Hill picks up that role and gives the defense a more experienced backup option.
Cornerback (6)
- CJ Henderson
- Jaycee Horn
- Donte Jackson
- Keith Taylor Jr.
- Stantley Thomas-Oliver III
- Rejzohn Wright
Wright, one of the stars of Netflix’s Last Chance U, has gained a bit of a cult following already. And why not? He’s long, speedy and versatile—which should come in handy for a light and oft-injured cornerback bunch.
Safety (6)
- Vonn Bell
- Jeremy Chinn
- Sam Franklin
- Jammie Robinson
- Eric Rowe
- Xavier Woods
Speaking of versatility, Rowe has experience as both a corner and a safety. That’ll help the 30-year-old free-agent signing in his push to stick on.
Specialists (3)
- Johnny Hekker
- JJ Jansen
- Eddy Piñeiro
All’s steady here.
