The Carolina Panthers have spent the last couple of offseasons reshaping this roster, and the result is a team that looks a lot better on paper than it did not long ago. But the roster still has some clear unevenness to it.
A few position groups stand out. A few others are hanging on by a thread.
At the bottom of the list, tight end is hard to get excited about. Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, and Ja'Tavion Sanders just don’t look like the kind of group that can scare a defense, and there isn’t much else here to change that.
Running back is more complicated. Chuba Hubbard is the name at the top, but there’s real uncertainty about which version of him shows up this season.
Behind him, the picture gets even murkier. Jonathon Brooks brings obvious intrigue, but two ACL tears in 13 months leave plenty of questions about how much he can handle.
Linebacker is thin enough that the depth chart tells the story on its own. Devin Lloyd is the headliner, Trevin Wallace is next, and after that it gets bleak fast. The rest of the room is filled out by special teamers, which says plenty about where this group stands.
Quarterback isn’t a disaster, but it’s not a strength either. Bryce Young is the guy, but the article doesn’t pretend he’s elite.
Kenny Pickett gives Carolina a capable backup, and Haynes King adds some real intrigue because of his rushing ability. That keeps the room from being a problem, even if it’s not exactly loaded.
Wide receiver has a true top duo in Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker, but the drop-off behind them is steep. Chris Brazzell II, Malick Meiga, and Jimmy Horn Jr. all bring upside, yet upside doesn’t equal production. John Metchie and Xavier Legette are described as borderline busts at this point, which tells you how shaky the rest of the group looks.
Up front on defense, Derrick Brown is carrying a massive load. He’s one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL, and the rest of the interior doesn’t come close to matching that standard. Bobby Brown is solid, but Lee Hunter, Aaron Hall, and Cam Jackson are still questions, and Tershawn Wharton isn’t much of a difference-maker when healthy.
The edge group gets a slight bump over the interior because there’s more behind the top names. Jaelan Phillips is a quality player, Nic Scourton was the second-best rookie in 2025, and that pairing gives Carolina a strong base. Princely Umanmielen adds another exciting piece to the mix.
The secondary is in good shape overall, with one obvious weak spot. Corey Thornton should hold down the slot, while Mike Jackson and Jaycee Horn give the Panthers a strong outside pairing.
Tre'von Moehrig is a major plus as well. The issue is the other safety spot, where Nick Scott is the current answer and the one thing keeping the group from being even better.
And then there’s the offensive line, which sits at the top for a simple reason: Carolina is spending more on it than all but one NFL team. The talent is there to justify that investment.
The Panthers have three starting-caliber tackles, four if Ikem Ekwonu were healthy, along with two starting-caliber centers and two good guards. That kind of depth and quality makes this the strongest position group on the roster.
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Bryce Young Disrespect Is Fueling A New Panthers Debate
Bryce Youngs place in the Panthers long-term plan is no longer just about draft pedigree or patience. Entering his next season under the rookie deal, the former No. 1 overall pick has already logged a full body of work in Carolina, and the organization still has financial control through the option year if it chooses to keep building around him. For a team that has spent the past two years trying to steady the quarterback position, every outside judgment on Young tends to land with extra weight.
Inside the building, though, the tone has been more supportive than skeptical. Offensive coordinator Brad Idzik has praised Youngs competitiveness and the way he handles high-pressure moments, which is part of why the latest round of quarterback chatter has stirred up so much debate among Panthers followers. The conversation is only going to get louder as Carolina heads toward a season opener against the Bears and another former top pick in Caleb Williams, a matchup that will invite plenty of comparisons whether the Panthers ask for them or not. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Rookies Enter Camp With Real Week 1 Jobs On The Line
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Aaron Halls path looks especially promising with Tershawn Wharton sidelined, while Lee Hunter, Chris Brazzell II and Zakee Wheatley each sit in the kind of spot where a strong few weeks can change a roster conversation fast. The most intriguing part is how many of these battles are tied directly to Week 1 roles, which means the Panthers are not just looking for development here. They are looking for answers. [Read more 🡒]
These 3 Panthers Additions Could Make Carolinas Defense Dangerous
Dave Canales Panthers took a meaningful step forward in 2025, climbing from a 5-12 finish the year before to 8-9 and an NFC South title, and the defense was a big reason the season felt different. Under Ejiro Evero, the unit showed real progress, moving up in the rankings and cutting down on the number of touchdowns allowed, which gave Carolina a much sturdier foundation than it had a year earlier.
Now the front office has tried to turn that progress into something more dangerous. Jaelan Phillips arrives as a needed pass-rushing addition, Devin Lloyd gives the second level another athletic piece, and rookie defensive tackle Lee Hunter adds more size and disruption inside. If those moves hit the way Carolina hopes, Everos defense could go from improved to a problem opponents have to game-plan around all week. [Read more 🡒]