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As they continue to enjoy the early stages of their summer break, the Carolina Panthers are currently carrying 89 players on their active roster. (And as soon as they officially sign 2025 second-round pick Nic Scourton, they’ll be at the league maximum of 90.)
But by the time September comes around, that number will be chopped down quite significantly.
So, with this year’s offseason program now behind us, let’s take a crack at predicting the Panthers’ initial 53-man roster for the upcoming campaign.
Italics = projected starters
* = projected free-agent signing
Quarterbacks (2)
Carolina carried only Young and Dalton into Week 1 last year. Expect the same, with Jack Plummer and undrafted rookie Ethan Garbers as practice-squad candidates.
Running backs (4)
- Chuba Hubbard
- Rico Dowdle
- Trevor Etienne
- Raheem Blackshear
Etienne, the team’s fourth-round pick, could bounce Blackshear off the roster. But Blackshear’s extensive experience on special teams, a strength head coach Dave Canales very much covets, keeps him around.
Wide receivers (6)
- Tetairoa McMillan
- Xavier Legette
- Adam Thielen
- Jalen Coker
- David Moore
- Jimmy Horn Jr.
While making the roster would complete a feel-good comeback story, Renfrow’s skill set is a bit redundant with Thielen and Coker already occupying the work from the slot. The former Pro Bowler just misses the cut.
Tight ends (3)
- Ja’Tavion Sanders
- Mitchell Evans
- Jordan Matthews*
After undergoing back surgery in May, first-stringer Tommy Tremble could start the season on the physically unable to perform list. If he’s shelved to begin the year, the Panthers might want to look at bringing back Matthews—a well-respected member of the 2024 roster who, like Blackshear, holds extra value as a special teamer.
Offensive linemen (9)
- Ikem Ekwonu
- Damien Lewis
- Austin Corbett
- Robert Hunt
- Taylor Moton
- Yosh Nijman
- Brady Christensen
- Cade Mays
- Chandler Zavala
The biggest battle at training camp should be the one at center, where Corbett will try to take the reins back from Mays. He gets the nod, at least for now, given his status as one of the offense’s leaders.
Defensive linemen (7)
- Derrick Brown
- Bobby Brown III
- Tershawn Wharton
- A’Shawn Robinson
- Shy Tuttle
- Jaden Crumedy
- Cam Jackson
If the fifth-rounder Jackson can make enough of an impression as a backup nose tackle, Tuttle’s spot could be in jeopardy.
Outside linebackers (5)
- D.J. Wonnum
- Pat Jones II
- Nic Scourton
- Princely Umanmielen
- DJ Johnson
A pair of former Minnesota Vikings, Wonnum and Jones, are likely to head the charge off the edge in 2025—with Scourton and Umanmielen waiting in the wings.
Inside linebackers (4)
- Josey Jewell
- Trevin Wallace
- Christian Rozeboom
- Claudin Cherelus
General manager and former linebacker Dan Morgan is probably hoping that Wallace, last year’s third-round pick, solidifies himself as a starter this summer. He’ll have to stave off Rozeboom, who led the Los Angeles Rams with 135 combined tackles in 2024.
Cornerbacks (5)
- Jaycee Horn
- Mike Jackson
- Chau Smith-Wade
- Shemar Bartholomew
- MJ Devonshire
Devonshire will be worth a watch at camp. The long-limbed 5-foot-11, 186-pounder has the chops to play from the slot, possibly as a competitor to Smith-Wade, and on the outside.
Safety (5)
- Tre’von Moehrig
- Julian Blackmon*
- Lathan Ransom
- Demani Richardson
- Nick Scott
Ransom and Richardson may have their early beats on the starting job alongside Moehrig, but defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero prefers to leave his unit to experienced vets. Perhaps Carolina can land the 26-year-old Blackmon on a mutually-beneficial prove-it deal.
Specialists (3)
- Ryan Fitzgerald
- Sam Martin
- JJ Jansen
If there’s a lead to be had in the kicking competition right now, it’s in the hands (or foot) of the Fitzgerald—who was sharp at mandatory minicamp. Veteran journeyman Matthew Wright was not as impressive last week.
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