3 surprising players kept on the roster

Alex Armah

Alex Armah is certainly the least-surprising “keeper” on this list. He has been with the team the longest out of anyone on this list, and I think he can offer the most to the team out of anyone on this list due to organizational familiarity.

I am a bit surprised (but relieved) at the fact he is listed as a running back on the depth chart. For one, fullback has always been his primary position. Given the level depth the Carolina Panthers once had at running back coming into the preseason, he probably would have stayed at running back. Now with the release of Kenjon Barner as well as the injury to Elijah Hood, the Panthers have given Armah the opportunity to play at running back.

Before the preseason began, I felt that Armah would be on the bubble and I was happily proven wrong.

He should fill the role of an additional bruiser back. One could argue that C.J. Anderson and Cameron Artis-Payne already fill those roles. However, looking at it strictly from a running game standpoint, Christian McCaffrey cold handle the majority of the field while the other three (in addition to CMC of course) can handle the red zone. It will be a big step up for Armah, who has played sparingly during his time with the Panthers to this point, but it will be interesting to see what he can do with the role he is given.