With another week of practice in the books, it’s time to make another early projection of what the roster might look like if the season started today. But, just as we said last week, the season doesn’t start today. In fact, the first preseason game isn’t for two more days, and the first regular season game isn’t for 32 after that. The roster cuts will be made in 25 days, and who is playing well enough to make the Carolina Panthers roster will look a lot different even a week from now. So take these projections with a large grain of salt and don’t overreact. The Panthers themselves put out a depth chart this week with some surprises on it (No Cole Luke? Brenton Bersin as the WR4?) that epitomizes the idea that these early depth charts aren’t gospel, they’re preliminary and tentative in every sense of the word. There are four preseason games and three more weeks of practice for players to either impress their way onto the roster or play their way off of it. The roster below is a projection based on what I’ve seen and heard over the first two weeks of practice, and not much has changed since last week. If you think I’m reading the Panthers wrong, let me know in the comments.
Quarterbacks: Cam Newton, Derek Anderson, Joe Webb. This won’t change the entire preseason barring an injury, so don’t expect it to.
Running Backs: Jonathan Stewart, Christian McCaffrey, Cameron Artis-Payne, Fozzy Whittaker. The fullbacks are getting closer to forcing me to make a change here with Darrel Young and Alex Armah both getting some reps at practice as pass catchers and lead blockers, but I’m not quite ready to put a fullback on the roster. Especially after reading Sean Mauk’s analysis on what a fullback-less offense might look like which sounds a lot like the drum the Panthers have been beating all offseason. I think the best way to construct a roster would be to cut Darrel Young and put Alex Armah on the practice squad; I think the Panthers may do just that.
Wide Receivers: Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funchess, Russell Shepard, Curtis Samuel, Damiere Byrd, Brenton Bersin. Marty Hurney kept six wide receivers on the roster his last two years in Carolina, and I think he may lean towards doing the same thing here, especially with Bersin’s prowess on special teams and veteran presence. Bersin has had an up-and-down camp, but after the Panthers placed him in the WR4 spot on their depth chart, it seems like it would be foolish not to take the team at their word. At least for now.
Tight End: Greg Olsen, Ed Dickson, Chris Manhertz. Manhertz has pulled away from Scott Simonson with Simonson missing most of last week’s practice with a hamstring injury while Manhertz has made some nice catches and looked like a strong blocker. If Manhertz can continue to play well during the preseason, perhaps he could be the player that steps in and plays a small amount of the traditional fullback role if there isn’t one on the roster.
Offensive Line: Trai Turner, Andrew Norwell, Ryan Kalil, Matt Kalil, Daryl Williams, Amini Silatolu, Tyler Larsen, Taylor Moton, Gino Gradkowski, JJ Jansen. It would appear that Amini Silatolu will be the primary backup for the entire left side (both guard and tackle) and Taylor Moton the right side. I think there is still a tackle left to be added to the roster, and Chris Scott hasn’t shown enough in training camp to ensure he’ll make it. Tyler Larsen has gotten some reps at guard as well, so there is a chance he could fill in for some plays if two linemen go down during the same period. However, if two lineman are on the shelf for an extended period of time, that will mean real trouble for the team.
Special Teamers: Graham Gano, Andy Lee. This won’t change either, unless Harrison Butker starts kicking the lights out or one of these guys gets hurt.
Linebackers: Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, Shaq Thompson, David Mayo, Jeremy Cash, Ben Jacobs, Jared Norris. Best linebacker group in the NFC South, and if you aren’t familiar with David Mayo as an important cog in this defense, you will be by the end of the season.
Defensive Ends: Julius Peppers, Charles Johnson, Daeshon Hall, Mario Addison, Wes Horton. This group won’t change, barring an injury. Daeshon Hall has played well the past few days of training camp, he’s going to make some plays this season.
Defensive Tackles: Kawann Short, Star Lotulelei, Vernon Butler, Kyle Love. The fact that Kyle Love still hasn’t practiced is troubling, but neither Gabriel Mass or Toby Johnson (who also hasn’t practiced) has shown enough yet to make the roster over him.
Cornerbacks: James Bradberry, Daryl Worley, Captain Munnerlyn, Cole Luke. I believe Corn Elder will start the year on the IR/Designated to Return list, but if he makes it back in time for the start of the regular season, he obviously would make the roster and LJ McCray (safety) would be the casualty. Jeff Richards also has an outside shot of taking the roster spot, but his play during Fan Fest (dropping an interception, poor coverage, open receivers all around him) kept him off this week; at this point, it seems like special teams player Teddy Williams would be the leader to take a fifth cornerback slot. Zack Sanchez has not played well during camp and was hampered by injuries, so he is back to the practice squad, same place he began the season in 2016.
Safeties: Mike Adams, Kurt Coleman, Dean Marlowe, Colin Jones, LJ McCray. Marlowe and Jones have both played better in camp than they did last year, and both are special teams aces. McCray has looked good the past week of camp and head coach Ron Rivera included him in his group of safeties and said he “felt good with the five guys we have,” which makes me think they’ll be keeping McCray on the roster.
Last Guys Cut/Practice Squaders: Zack Sanchez, Austin Duke, Gabriel Mass, Alex Armah, Jeff Richards, Toby Johnson, Keyarris Garrett, Teddy Williams.
Again. Don’t overreact. This roster might be outdated by Thursday, it’s just designed to give you an idea of where the players stand heading into the first preseason game.
