NFC SOUTH PROJECTED STARTERS - PANTHERS

https://www.nfl.com/news/nfc-south-proje...-bryce-you

OFFENSE    PLAYER

QB    Bryce Young

RB    Miles Sanders

WR    DJ Chark

WR    Adam Thielen

WR    Jonathan Mingo

TE    Hayden Hurst

LT    Ikem Ekwonu

LG    Brady Christensen

C    Bradley Bozeman

RG    Cade Mays

RT    Taylor Moton





DEFENSE    PLAYER

DE    Derrick Brown

DT    Shy Tuttle

Edge    Brian Burns

Edge    Yetur Gross-Matos

MLB    Shaq Thompson

OLB    Frankie Luvu

CB    Jaycee Horn

CB    Donte Jackson

Slot    Jeremy Chinn

S    Vonn Bell

S    Xavier Woods

• Bryce Young joins a situation that is better than what awaits most quarterbacks drafted No. 1 overall. Frank Reich is a proven play-caller and quarterback tutor. The offensive line and defense should be strengths. I even like Andy Dalton as the mentor in the QB room.
  
  
• There's also the fact that, unlike most teams picking first in a draft, the Panthers are coming off a seven-win season. But the depth chart at receiver is evidence things are not perfect.
  
  
• In DJ Chark, Adam Thielen, Jonathan Mingo and Terrace Marshall, at least the Panthers have four legitimate rotation receivers. It's just that they might all be third options on a better team.
  
  
• Mingo has No. 1 potential as a true X receiver, but it's a lot to ask him to thrive in that role as a rookie.
  
  
• It wouldn't be a surprise if the Panthers added another veteran running back during camp behind Miles Sanders. Chuba Hubbard is the current backup.
  
  
• The offensive line made big strides last season, including Ikem Ekwonu improving after a slow start at left tackle. The problem is that potential starters at guard Austin Corbett and Brady Christensen are coming off serious injuries.
  
  
• Brian Burns is another key player whose status is uncertain for the start of the year, because of ankle surgery. New defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero could have a bumpy transition, because the Panthers are thin at edge rusher.
  
  
• As third-round picks go, DJ Johnson has a chance to have a big role. He's crazy athletic. If Burns isn't ready to start the season, some combination of Johnson, Marquis Haynes and Yetur Gross-Matos are the top options to start on the edge.
  
  
• Evero was fantastic in Denver. But he wants to run a 3-4 defense, and there could be an adjustment period as the Panthers bring in players to fit his system. The focus this offseason was more on the offense.
  
  
• At least there's a lot to work with in the secondary. Vonn Bell was signed partly to free Jeremy Chinn up as the team's nickel defender. Cornerback Jaycee Horn is a future star, and Donte Jackson is a reliable starter.
  
  
• The offense should be catching up to the defense in Carolina this season, but they have a long way to go. Young will have to hit the ground running if the Panthers are to have a chance at contention.