4 Panthers in danger of not making the regular-season roster

Damiere Byrd

I know I have personally flip=flopped on the status of this guy at least 10 times. However, it appears this time I can deliver a prognosis with a bit more certainty. Damiere Byrd is in danger of not making the 53-man roster. This was the year he needed to have a productive preseason, and so far the results just have not been there.

In the game on Friday against the Patriots, he returned a punt for 30 yards and showcased his speed in the process. The problem here was that rookie D.J. Moore was also returning punts, snagging two for 11 yards. It is not that Byrd is not a good player. It is just that there is too much depth on the team for him to warrant a roster spot. He had slightly more production against the Dolphins the week before, catching two passes for 27 yards.

Christian McCaffrey and Moore have the ability to handle kick returns and punts, and at the wide receiver position, there is just too much depth. He is No. 3 at the left wideout position per the most recent depth chart from OurLads.com. Although that is not a perilous spot to be in, it certainly does not work in his favor that he is behind Jarius Wright and Devin Funchess.

The Carolina Panthers have too much depth at both kick return and wideout at the moment for Byrd to make the 53-man roster. They have enough players that can fill the roles Byrd has with slightly more skill.