Panthers Pre-Training Camp 53 Man Roster
With Training camp starting this week lets take a look at my early prediction of the Panthers 53 man roster. Of course things will change as training camp battles heats up, but for now this is my best logical guess at the Panthers pre-training camp 53 man roster.
Offense (25)
Quarterback (3)
Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, Matt Corral.
I believe that Baker will come into camp with an edge and take the starting position especially since we play the Browns in week one. Darnold may have a small head start on the playbook but Mayfields familiarity with OL Coach Campen should help in understanding the offensive line protection part of the playbook.
Running Back (3)
Christian McCaffrey, D’Onta Foreman, Chubba Hubbard.
With the addition of D’Onta Foreman, and the growth of Chubba Hubbard, Christian McCaffrey should have the rest he needs throughout any given game. Christian should be utilized at receiver and that would allow Foreman and Hubbard to get more touches as well. We will see a lot more of Forman and Hubbard in pre-season as McCaffery gets fresh for the season. It will be interesting to see who will earn and emerge as the main backup. For now my money is on Foreman.
Wide Receiver (7)
DJ Moore, Robbie Anderson, Terrace Marshall Jr, Rashard Higgins, Brandon Zylstra, Andre Roberts (ST), Shi Smith.
Clearly our WR corps are led by DJ Moore, and Robbie Anderson, but with Baker Mayfield on the team it would be interesting to see if former Browns WR Rashard Higgins will be able to take the third spot from Marshall. On the bottom of this group there is a toss up. I could easily see Keith Kirkwood, or maybe even a surprise in UDFA Charleston Rambo swap with Shi Smith or Andre Roberts.
Tight End (3)
Ian Thomas, Tommy Tremble, Colin Thompson.
Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble seems to be the only “locks”, but if Ben McAdoo’s offense utilizes tight ends like he did in NY, we could see a real competition between Colin Thompson, Stephen Sullivan, Jared Scott, and Josh Babicz for the third and maybe even fourth spot.
Offensive Line (9)
Arguably the most improved position group this year, the offensive line should be an exciting group to watch. Will first round pick Ikem Ekwonu win the LT spot? Or will Brady Christensen push Ekwonu for that spot? Besides the all important LT spot, we also need to find out who will be our depth players will be. We have seen in the last few years just how important depth players are at the offensive line positions because it really can make or break a season. I also could easily see us keeping a tenth guy for depth.
Offensive Tackle
Ikem Ekwonu, Brady Christensen, Taylor Moton, Cameron Erving.
Guard
Austin Corbett, Deonte Brown, Cade Mays.
Center
Bradley Bozeman, Pat Elfein.
Defense (25)
Defensive Line (8)
Who is gonna step up and fill the hole and production that Haason Reddick left this season? Will it be Yetur Gross-Matos, Marquis Haynes, or will it be by committee? New DT Matt Loannidis should contribute and compliment DT Derrick Brown nicely, and hopefully help us to be back to a top five defensive form.
Defensive End
Brian Burns, Yetur Gross-Matos, Marquis Haynes Sr., Amare Barno.
Defensive Tackle
Derrick Brown, Matt Loannidis, Bravvion Roy, Daviyon Nixon.
Linebacker (6)
Shaq Thomson, Frankie Luvu, Cory Littleton, Damien Wilson, Julian Stanford, Brandon Smith.
Shaq Thompson leads this strong group, but look to see Frankie Luvu step up and take a bigger role this year. Newcomers LB Cory Littleton, and LB Damien Wilson should add a wealth of knowledge for the young guys and ensure the Panthers have a great rotation.
Defensive Backs (11)
The defensive backs is a really deep and solid group, and I had a hard time cutting some players for this list. At cornerback Jaycee Horn, and Donte Jackson leads the way at starter. Young talent like CJ Henderson, and Keith Taylor who has shown that they can step in and can fill that role. At Safety Jeremy Chinn now has a proven partner in Xavier Woods with capable backups in Juston Burris and Sean Chandler to jump in the rotation. The future looks bright for Thieves Ave.
Cornerback
Jaycee Horn, Donte Jackson, CJ Henderson, Keith Taylor Jr, Myles Hartsfield, Kalon Barnes.
Safety
Jeremy Chinn, Xavier Woods, Juston Burris, Sean Chandler, Kenny Robinson.
Special Teams (3)
K Zane Gonzalez, P Johnny Hekker, LS JJ Jansen.
Bubble Players
Players on the bubble could easily be swapped with some players above and make the original 53 man roster. The cornerback position in particular has a lot of talent and competition should be tight from top to bottom.
S Sam Franklin, WR Keith Kirkwood, OL Dennis Daley, TE/FB Giovanni Ricci, DT Phil Hoskins, CB Chris Westry, CB Stanley Thomas-Oliver III, CB Rashaan Melvin.
Surprise Players
I think there are some rookies and UDFA that could surprise us this year, as well as some young players who might take a step forward to contribute this year. The following are some players I believe could surprise us in camp and take a roster spot.
WR Charleston Rambo, WR C.J. Saunders, TE Josh Babicz.