The Carolina Panthers’ rookie class is loaded with names worth tracking in training camp, and a few of them could wind up shaping the roster in real ways before the season even begins.
Some of the drafted newcomers are more long-term watches than immediate ones, but not all of them fall into that bucket. Will Lee III, for instance, doesn’t look likely to crack the outside cornerback pairing with Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson already ahead of him, so he’s not near the top of the list right now.
The first-round pick is a different story. He may not see much action this season, but camp will go a long way toward deciding that. He appears to be behind Rasheed Walker in the left tackle competition, and because that battle matters so much, Freeling is one of the rookies fans should be watching closely.
Up front, Aaron Hall has become a name to know after Tershawn Wharton’s injury. That situation makes Hall almost a lock to make the roster as an undrafted free agent, and his athleticism stands out immediately. With Wharton sidelined, he also gives the Panthers needed depth on the interior.
Lee Hunter belongs on the watch list for a similar reason. He wasn’t in danger of losing his roster spot, but the Panthers need interior players to step up beyond Derrick Brown. Hunter has the kind of profile that could make him a force against the run, which gives him real camp intrigue.
Chris Brazzell II is the kind of player who jumps out the moment you see him move. Big receivers usually do not look that fluid, and he brings that rare blend of size and burst into a competition for the final starting wide receiver job. That battle could end up having a major effect on the passing game.
Malick Meiga also fits the Panthers’ preferred mold, even if his road is much steeper than Hall’s. He’s an undrafted free agent with a tough climb to the roster, but he shares the same eye-catching athletic traits - big, fast, and explosive.
At center, Sam Hecht has already drawn praise from the coaching staff, and he looks like a legitimate candidate to start Week 1. That makes camp critical as he tries to beat out Luke Fortner for the job.
Then there’s Zakee Wheatley, who looks like a player who should be getting more attention already. The coaching staff’s apparent fondness for Nick Scott hasn’t changed that, but Wheatley seems built to pair with Tre'von Moehrig. This is his chance to prove it.
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