Defensive Tackle
2017: Kawann Short, Star Lotulelei, Vernon Butler, Kyle Love
2018: Kawann Short, Dontari Poe, Vernon Butler, Kyle Love, Kendrick Norton, Drew Iddings, Tracy Sprinkle
The Panthers may have actually improved their defensive line rotation, adding the pass-rushing ability of Dontari Poe to replace the run-stuffing and space-eating that Star Lotulelei brought to the interior of the line playing next to stalwart Kawann Short; a seventh-round flyer on Kendrick Norton may prove valuable as he has a chance to outduel the always-underrated Kyle Love for the fourth spot on the interior of the defensive line. This may be an important year for Vernon Butler; the first-rounder wasn’t on the field for 70% of the snaps in 2017 and needs to prove his worth on a rotational basis in order for the Panthers to see him as part of their long-term plans.
Defensive End
2017: Mario Addison, Bryan Cox Jr., Wes Horton, Charles Johnson, Zach Moore, Julius Peppers (Daeshon Hall)
2018: Mario Addison, Julius Peppers, Bryan Cox, Jr., Wes Horton, Marquis Haynes, Daeshon Hall, Efe Obada, Zach Moore
While the return of Julius Peppers was hugely important, the future Hall of Famer only played about half of the snaps in 2017, and is expected to play the same if not fewer this season, so expect second-year player Daeshon Hall to get the first crack at the fourth piece of the defensive end rotation. The team liked fourth-rounder Marquis Haynes enough to trade up for him, and the all-time sacks leader at Ole Miss may see some time at the ‘Joker’ role – a defensive end who vacillates between rushing the passer or dropping into coverage depending on the play – the Panthers love to use a wide rotation at defensive end, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see at least five, if not six, make the final roster. Did Bryan Cox, Jr. or Zach Moore do enough in their limited time last season to warrant a full-time roster spot or will they wait for their turn on the practice squad? Efe Obada looked impressive in this past weekend’s rookie mini-camp, but the wild card in the defensive end rotation is Wes Horton, who is entering the final year of his contract and has eight sacks and five forced fumbles in the past two seasons.
Update: The Panthers signed former UNI DE Karter Schult.
Linebackers
2017: Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, Shaq Thompson, David Mayo, Ben Jacobs, Jared Norris, Andrew Gachkar
2018: Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, Shaq Thompson, David Mayo, Jared Norris, Jermaine Carter, Jr, Andre Smith, Ben Jacobs, Richie Brown, Chris Frey
With Thomas Davis set to miss the first four games of the season serving a suspension, expect the Panthers to open the season with an extra linebacker on the roster; Ron Rivera has notoriously preferred veterans for his depth positions, so expect Mayo, Norris and Jacobs to be back- don’t forget Jacobs became a huge leader on special teams in 2017 – the Panthers used both a fifth and seventh rounder on linebackers, Carter can be a real force on special teams and Smith is a terrific tackler if he can stay healthy. Expect one of them to make the roster and the other stashed on the practice squad after a battle in training camp for the final roster spot – whoever makes the team will have exactly four games to make a case for their roster spot until Davis returns.
Cornerback
2017: James Bradberry, Daryl Worley, Kevon Seymour, LaDarius Gunter, Captain Munnerlyn
2018: James Bradberry, Ross Cockrell, Kevon Seymour, Captain Munnerlyn, Corn Elder, LaDarius Gunter, Donte Jackson, Cole Luke, Lorenzo Doss, Zack Sanchez
After spending much of the season with five cornerbacks, the Panthers cornerback cuppeth now floweth over with options after adding Ross Cockrell and Donte Jackson in the offseason and getting Cole Luke and Corn Elder back to full health. Unfortunately for some of these young corners, there just may not be enough jerseys to go around, so look for a battle between Kevon Seymour, Luke, and Gunter for the final cornerback spot – there will also be a fight between veteran Captain Munnerlyn and 2017 fifth-round pick Corn Elder for the inside corner spot; it would be surprising to see the Panthers keep both, but defensive coordinator Eric Washington said it would be imperative for each of them to compete not only inside, but outside. As we move through training camp, expect cornerback to be one of the most interesting competitions on the roster; to make things more complicated, don’t be surprised if Gunter gets some run at safety during camp as well.
Update: The Panthers have waived Zack Sanchez with an injury designation.
Safety
2017: Kurt Coleman, Mike Adams, Colin Jones, Jairus Byrd (Demetrious Cox)
2018: Mike Adams, Colin Jones, Rashaan Gaulden, Demetrious Cox, Da’Norris Searcy, Damian Parms, Dezmen Southward
In addition to the left guard spot, here’s the other big question heading into the season; aside from Mike Adams, the team has three – or four, depending on your confidence level in Colin Jones – viable options to start next to the 37 year old Adams: third-rounder Rashaan Gaulden, who played a lot of nickel in college but might be a great fit for the hybrid role the Panthers expect from their safeties much of the time; free agent signee Da’Norris Searcy, who spent much of last season in a reserve role for the Titans; and youngster Demetrious Cox, who Ron Rivera has mentioned multiple times as a young option that they’re excited about returning to the secondary after he was lost to injury in Week 4 of 2017. The Panthers may keep five safeties on the roster heading into next season simply due to Jones’ acumen on special teams and ability to play multiple roles in the secondary.
Specialists
2017: Graham Gano, Michael Palardy, JJ Jansen
2018: Graham Gano, Michael Palardy, JJ Jansen
Gano just signed a new deal, JJ Jansen may long snap here until he’s 50 and it will continue to be a Palardy party for at least the 2018 season.
