We’re less than four weeks away from actual football. Where does the roster stand?
First year general manager Dan Morgan and his work bestie head coach Dave Canales have some decisions to make in the next two weeks. The 53-man roster deadline is Tuesday, August 27th at 4:00pm. Between those 53 spots and the 17 on the practice squad, the Panthers will have to tab 70 players to take into battle in 2024 (at least to begin with). Based on what has happened so far in camp and the preseason, here is how I see the final 53-man roster shaking out for the Carolina Panthers.
Offense (25)
Quarterback (2): Bryce Young, Andy Dalton
Runningback (4): Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, Raheem Blackshear, Mike Boone
Tight end (4): Ian Thomas, Tommy Tremble, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Jordan Matthews
Wide receiver (6): Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen, Jonathan Mingo, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, Terrace Marshall Jr
Offensive line (9): Ikem Ekwonu, Damien Lewis, Austin Corbett, Robert Hunt, Taylor Moton, Brady Christensen, Chandler Zavala, Cade Mays, Andrew Raym
For this prediction, I think both Jonathan Brooks and Yoshi Nijman will be on injured reserve to start the season. This paves the way for Mike Boone and Terrace Marshall to make the initial 53. Once Brooks is back, I think Boone is the odd man out in the runningback room. Depending on the health of the team, Nijman’s return could spell the end for Terrace Marshall, especially if the offensive line is banged up at that point. Blackshear and Smith-Marsette get the nod as return men, cementing their spot on the roster. Christensen (OT/OG), Zavala (OG), Mays (OG/C), and Raym (C) give the Panthers backup lineman who could slot in at any of the five positions between them.
Defense (25)
Defensive line (4): Derrick Brown, Shy Tuttle, A’Shaun Robinson, LaBryan Ray
Edge rushers (6): Jadaveon Clowney, DJ Wonnum, DJ Johnson, K’Lavon Chaisson, Eku Leota, Amare Barno
Inside linebackers (4): Shaq Thompson, Josey Jewell, Trevin Wallace, Michael Barrett
Cornerback (6): Jaycee Horn, Dane Jackson, Lamar Jackson, D’Shawn Jamison, Troy Hill, Chau Smith-Wade
Safeties (5): Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller, Nick Scott, Alex Cook, Jammie Robinson
I think Sam Franklin will start the year on IR. Once he returns, the team will have to drop someone. Robinson has some positional flexibility, so I could see the team trying to sneak Chau Smith-Wade onto the practice squad. Lamar Jackson and D’Shawn Jamison have all but played their way onto the team already, as has Alex Cook. All three had great showings in the first preseason game. I think both rookie linebackers make the team in large part due to the new kickoff rules. Wallace is an athletic freak and Barrett is a tackling machine, so both would be very helpful on kickoff coverage. Leota and Chaisson have also had good showings in preseason so far, and the team’s lack of depth helps them make the final roster. I could see a fifth defensive lineman being carried in lieu of a secondary defender as well. Also, if/when Stephen Gillmore comes back home, there may be some tough decisions to be made on the back end.
Specialists (3)
Kicker (1): Eddie Pineiro
Punter (1): Johnny Hekker
Long Snapper (1): JJ Jansen
I mean, obviously.
What do you think, Panthers fans? Where am I absolutely correct? Where am I laughably wrong? Sound off in the comments!