Especially in the preseason, the amount of snaps a player takes in a game tends show a modicum of how the coaches view their role on the team and the guys who are in battles for roster spots, these numbers are doubly important. With this being the all-important third preseason game, which most analysts view as the dress rehearsal for the regular season, these numbers are even more meaningful. It’s clear that the coaching staff are trying to see what they have at certain positions, so let’s take a look at the counts. The tables are sortable, so click the arrows in the headers to move some numbers around and draw your own conclusions.
| Player | Position | Offensive Snaps | Percentage | Special Teams | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T Turner | G | 39 | 59% | 2 | 7% |
| M Kalil | T | 39 | 59% | ||
| A Norwell | G | 38 | 58% | 2 | 7% |
| D Funchess | WR | 38 | 58% | ||
| T Moton | T | 35 | 53% | 2 | 7% |
| D Williams | T | 31 | 47% | 2 | 7% |
| G Olsen | TE | 30 | 45% | ||
| E Dickson | TE | 29 | 44% | 12 | 43% |
| T Larsen | C | 29 | 44% | 3 | 11% |
| D Anderson | QB | 29 | 44% | ||
| C Manhertz | TE | 27 | 41% | 10 | 36% |
| G Gradkowski | C | 27 | 41% | 3 | 11% |
| G Gilbert | QB | 27 | 41% | ||
| G Van Roten | G | 24 | 36% | 1 | 4% |
| K Benjamin | WR | 24 | 36% | ||
| R Shepard | WR | 22 | 33% | 5 | 18% |
| C Artis-Payne | RB | 21 | 32% | 11 | 39% |
| A Silatolu | G | 19 | 29% | 4 | 14% |
| M Frazier | WR | 18 | 27% | 5 | 18% |
| D Byrd | WR | 17 | 26% | 2 | 7% |
| C McCaffrey | RB | 16 | 24% | 3 | 11% |
| B Folkerts | C | 16 | 24% | 2 | 7% |
| C Samuel | WR | 15 | 23% | ||
| K Clay | WR | 13 | 20% | 9 | 32% |
| D France | T | 13 | 20% | 1 | 4% |
| A Duke | WR | 13 | 20% | ||
| F Whittaker | RB | 11 | 17% | 11 | 39% |
| C Newton | QB | 10 | 15% | ||
| R Kalil | C | 10 | 15% | ||
| J Stewart | RB | 10 | 15% | ||
| B Clausell | T | 9 | 14% | 1 | 4% |
| J Simmons | RB | 9 | 14% | ||
| E Wallace | TE | 8 | 12% | ||
| D Young | FB | 5 | 8% | 8 | 29% |
| A Armah | RB | 5 | 8% | 6 | 21% |
Positional Breakdown
Quarterbacks – With Newton only playing the first drive and Joe Webb not available due to a neck strain suffered in Tuesday’s practice, Garrett Gilbert and Derek Anderson played almost the same amount of snaps. Usually in a third preseason game, we may not have seen Gilbert at all. While a lot of people are clamoring for Anderson’s demotion, don’t hold your breath. If Ron Rivera isn’t concerned (and he’s not), then it’s probably not happening.
Running Backs – The interesting statistic is the equal number of special teams snaps for Fozzy Whittaker and Cameron Artis-Payne. While CAP had a better day offensively (obviously), Whittaker had some quality snaps as well. The fact that both guys are playing special teams now means they may be grooming both to stay on the roster. Because…
Fullbacks/Tight Ends – With neither fullback getting more than five reps, the writing appears to be on the wall that the Panthers are preparing to move forward without a fullback on the roster. Tight end Ed Dickson was lined up in the fullback slot and between he and Chris Manhertz, the Panthers seem to be heading towards utilizing a combination fullback/tight end. Alex Armah is perfect for the practice squad, he is coming along slowly and needs more time to turn that raw talent into NFL talent.
Wide Receivers – It definitely appeared that the team ran Devin Funchess back out to get him some more looks as he had 14 more snaps than Kelvin Benjamin. The number of special teams snaps for Kaelin Clay vs Austin Duke should show where they are on the depth chart with regards to making the roster.
Offensive Line – No surprise that Taylor Moton is up amongst the starters in terms of snap count, as it would appear that he may be vying to get into a rotation with RT Darryl Williams. With no Chris Scott, Gino Gradkowski and Greg Van Roten got an extended look from the coaching staff.
| Player | Position | Defensive Snaps | Percentage | Special Teams | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D Mayo | LB | 42 | 59% | 14 | 50% |
| D Southward | CB | 41 | 58% | 11 | 39% |
| D Parms | SS | 41 | 58% | 9 | 32% |
| J Cash | LB | 36 | 51% | 13 | 46% |
| D Worley | CB | 31 | 44% | 6 | 21% |
| J Richards | DB | 30 | 42% | 8 | 29% |
| J Bradberry | CB | 30 | 42% | 6 | 21% |
| L Kuechly | LB | 30 | 42% | 2 | 7% |
| K Coleman | SS | 30 | 42% | 2 | 7% |
| E Crume | DT | 30 | 42% | 1 | 4% |
| T Davis | LB | 29 | 41% | 2 | 7% |
| K Short | DT | 29 | 41% | 2 | 7% |
| Z Sanchez | CB | 28 | 39% | 6 | 21% |
| C Luke | CB | 27 | 38% | 8 | 29% |
| Z Moore | DE | 27 | 38% | 4 | 14% |
| S Lotulelei | DT | 27 | 38% | 2 | 7% |
| B Cox | DE | 26 | 37% | 2 | 7% |
| E Obada | DE | 23 | 32% | ||
| C Munnerlyn | CB | 21 | 30% | ||
| B Jacobs | LB | 19 | 27% | 15 | 54% |
| C Johnson | DE | 19 | 27% | ||
| M Addison | DE | 18 | 25% | 2 | 7% |
| J Peppers | LB | 18 | 25% | 2 | 7% |
| C Wujciak | DT | 18 | 25% | 1 | 4% |
| D Johnson | CB | 16 | 23% | 3 | 11% |
| L Webster | DE | 15 | 21% | 7 | 25% |
| S Thompson | LB | 15 | 21% | 2 | 7% |
| W Horton | DE | 13 | 18% | ||
| G Mass | DE | 12 | 17% | ||
| A Miley | DE | 11 | 15% | ||
| T Graham | WR | 11 | 39% | ||
| C Jones | FS | 11 | 39% | ||
| T Williams | CB | 9 | 32% | ||
| J Jansen | LS | 9 | 32% | ||
| B Boulware | LB | 9 | 32% | ||
| Z Bigger | LB | 4 | 14% |
Positional Breakdown
Linebackers – David Mayo with his second straight week leading the team in snaps, even with Luke Kuechly back in the fray; Mayo played extremely well again and is an asset to the second team. The Shaq Thompson contingent will not like the fact that he got half the snaps of Thomas Davis, but we’ll see how that relates to the regular season. Zeek Bigger and Ben Boulware are now both down to zero snaps on defense, but Ben Jacobs received the most special teams snaps of any Panthers player, he’s fighting with Jared Norris for the final linebacker spot.
Defensive Line – Eric Crume gets another extended look with Kyle Love out. He made enough plays to warrant at least some thought from the coaching staff when it comes to roster construction time. Love may be a better fit for the IR/Designated To Return list if he can’t return to practice sooner rather than later. Efe Obada has flashed in the preseason, but his special eligibility makes it so that he is guaranteed to make the practice squad, but can’t be promoted to the final roster.
Safeties/Defensive Backs – The complete lack of snaps for Colin Jones and Teddy Williams seem to indicate that they are both likely making the roster at this point; the Panthers took extended looks at players like Zack Sanchez, Dezmen Southward, Damian Parms, Cole Luke, and Jeff Richards. Those are the players battling for the last three defensive backfield roster spots.
