08-27-2025, 04:24 PM -
This has somewhat changed since yesterday, and will be fluid over the next couple of weeks.
Analysis: Taking a look at the Panthers' initial 53-man roster
POSITION-BY-POSITION LOOK AT INITIAL 53
Quarterbacks: (2): Bryce Young, Andy Dalton.
This was always going to be the group on the 53; now the only question is about who they bring back for the practice squad. They have familiarity with Jack Plummer, but could look elsewhere as well.
Running backs (3): Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle, Trevor Etienne.
With fourth-rounder Etienne likely to handle at least half of the return duties, it squeezed out Raheem Blackshear, who runs hard but lacks the same kind of dynamic speed as Etienne.
Tight ends (4): Ja'Tavion Sanders, Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, James Mitchell.
James Mitchell had a good camp, and they need the depth at this position with Tremble so closely removed from being cleared from back surgery.
Wide receivers (7): Tetairoa McMillan, Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, Brycen Tremayne, David Moore, Jimmy Horn Jr.
Cutting Renfrow was difficult after a strong training camp, as he returned from a year out of the league following a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. But this group is talented and deep, and with the emergence of Tremayne as a big target and big contributor on special teams, someone had to go. Since he's a vested veteran, he doesn't have to pass through waivers and can sign to the practice squad if he chooses.
Offensive linemen (9): LT Ikem Ekwonu, LG Damien Lewis, C Austin Corbett, RG Robert Hunt, RT Taylor Moton, Brady Christensen, Yosh Nijman, Cade Mays, Chandler Zavala.
This is the deepest position on the roster, and that's on purpose. The Panthers are wealthy in former starters among their reserves, because protecting their quarterbacks and running the ball were priorities.
Defensive linemen (6): Derrick Brown, A'Shawn Robinson, Tershawn Wharton, Bobby Brown III, Cam Jackson, Jaden Crumedy.
With LaBryan Ray heading to IR (he can be designated for return after four weeks), the Panthers held onto a couple of recent draft picks for depth in Jackson and Crumedy.
Outside linebackers (6): Patrick Jones II, DJ Wonnum, Nic Scourton, Princely Umanmielen, Thomas Incoom, DJ Johnson.
A couple of veteran starters, a couple of draft picks with promise, along with a special teamer in Incoom and Johnson, who had his best camp.
Linebackers (4): Christian Rozeboom, Trevin Wallace, Claudin Cherelus, Bam Martin-Scott.
This group could still be in flux, as they'll be looking for depth and special teams help in the coming days. Martin-Scott, the undrafted rookie from South Carolina, made an early impression here and has the potential to develop.
Cornerbacks (5): Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson, Chau Smith-Wade, Corey Thornton, Akayleb Evans.
Thornton, another undrafted rookie, made the 53 with a strong preseason. They're solid in the starting group with Horn and Jackson, and Smith-Wade has developed into a solid nickel. Evans is a solid special teams player as well, and they'll need those in the coming weeks.
Safeties (4): Tre'von Moehrig, Nick Scott, Lathan Ransom, Demani Richardson.
The Panthers looked at a number of veteran options throughout the offseason, and that could still be the case. But this group gives them a defensive tone-setter in Moehrig, a core special teamer in Scott, and a couple of young players who have interesting skills. Ransom could end up being a starter, and Richardson has a track record of making plays when he gets on the field.
Special teams (3): K Ryan Fitzgerald, P Sam Martin, LS JJ Jansen.
This is the group, until it isn't. The Panthers have said they'll look at all the available kickers around the league, so until Fitzgerald lines up for the opening kickoff, field goal, or extra point in Jacksonville in a week and a half, it's probably safest not to make too many assumptions.
Analysis: Taking a look at the Panthers' initial 53-man roster
POSITION-BY-POSITION LOOK AT INITIAL 53
Quarterbacks: (2): Bryce Young, Andy Dalton.
This was always going to be the group on the 53; now the only question is about who they bring back for the practice squad. They have familiarity with Jack Plummer, but could look elsewhere as well.
Running backs (3): Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle, Trevor Etienne.
With fourth-rounder Etienne likely to handle at least half of the return duties, it squeezed out Raheem Blackshear, who runs hard but lacks the same kind of dynamic speed as Etienne.
Tight ends (4): Ja'Tavion Sanders, Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, James Mitchell.
James Mitchell had a good camp, and they need the depth at this position with Tremble so closely removed from being cleared from back surgery.
Wide receivers (7): Tetairoa McMillan, Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, Brycen Tremayne, David Moore, Jimmy Horn Jr.
Cutting Renfrow was difficult after a strong training camp, as he returned from a year out of the league following a diagnosis of ulcerative colitis. But this group is talented and deep, and with the emergence of Tremayne as a big target and big contributor on special teams, someone had to go. Since he's a vested veteran, he doesn't have to pass through waivers and can sign to the practice squad if he chooses.
Offensive linemen (9): LT Ikem Ekwonu, LG Damien Lewis, C Austin Corbett, RG Robert Hunt, RT Taylor Moton, Brady Christensen, Yosh Nijman, Cade Mays, Chandler Zavala.
This is the deepest position on the roster, and that's on purpose. The Panthers are wealthy in former starters among their reserves, because protecting their quarterbacks and running the ball were priorities.
Defensive linemen (6): Derrick Brown, A'Shawn Robinson, Tershawn Wharton, Bobby Brown III, Cam Jackson, Jaden Crumedy.
With LaBryan Ray heading to IR (he can be designated for return after four weeks), the Panthers held onto a couple of recent draft picks for depth in Jackson and Crumedy.
Outside linebackers (6): Patrick Jones II, DJ Wonnum, Nic Scourton, Princely Umanmielen, Thomas Incoom, DJ Johnson.
A couple of veteran starters, a couple of draft picks with promise, along with a special teamer in Incoom and Johnson, who had his best camp.
Linebackers (4): Christian Rozeboom, Trevin Wallace, Claudin Cherelus, Bam Martin-Scott.
This group could still be in flux, as they'll be looking for depth and special teams help in the coming days. Martin-Scott, the undrafted rookie from South Carolina, made an early impression here and has the potential to develop.
Cornerbacks (5): Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson, Chau Smith-Wade, Corey Thornton, Akayleb Evans.
Thornton, another undrafted rookie, made the 53 with a strong preseason. They're solid in the starting group with Horn and Jackson, and Smith-Wade has developed into a solid nickel. Evans is a solid special teams player as well, and they'll need those in the coming weeks.
Safeties (4): Tre'von Moehrig, Nick Scott, Lathan Ransom, Demani Richardson.
The Panthers looked at a number of veteran options throughout the offseason, and that could still be the case. But this group gives them a defensive tone-setter in Moehrig, a core special teamer in Scott, and a couple of young players who have interesting skills. Ransom could end up being a starter, and Richardson has a track record of making plays when he gets on the field.
Special teams (3): K Ryan Fitzgerald, P Sam Martin, LS JJ Jansen.
This is the group, until it isn't. The Panthers have said they'll look at all the available kickers around the league, so until Fitzgerald lines up for the opening kickoff, field goal, or extra point in Jacksonville in a week and a half, it's probably safest not to make too many assumptions.
This post was last modified: 08-27-2025, 04:27 PM by PantherFan007.