4 winners (and 2 losers) from the Panthers' preseason win against Cardinals

The Carolina Panthers kicked off their preseason slate with a last-gasp win over the Arizona Cardinals in this year's Pro Football Hall of Fame game. But as always, the result is the last thing on coaches' minds at this stage.

A win is nice, and it will build confidence. But this is all about assessing the landscape.

The Panthers didn't risk any of their starters or even some key rotational options. It was an opportunity for those on the fringes to get some valuable experience in a game-day setting, and some managed to stand out more than others.

With this in mind, here are four winners and two losers from Carolina's opening preseason clash in Canton, Ohio.

Winners and losers from Carolina Panthers' preseason win over the Cardinals

Winner: Haynes King, QB

Haynes King got his first taste of NFL action. The undrafted rookie quarterback is an intriguing development project, and he turned out to be the hero for Carolina with a walk-off rushing touchdown to get the preseason off on a positive note.

More importantly, King wasn't overwhelmed by the bright lights. He looked poised, in control of the offense, and made his throws count. While he remains No. 3 in the pecking order behind Bryce Young and Kenny Pickett, his chances of making the 53-man roster have increased.

Loser: Sam Hecht, C

It's been an indifferent start this offseason for fifth-round rookie Sam Hecht. That trend unfortunately continued with a shaky preseason debut.

Hecht had a couple of errant snaps. The first-year pro didn't pick up a few stunts effectively enough, and there is a real problem with his ability to anchor his body quickly against oncoming defensive linemen. He'll make the team, but his chances of starting in Week 1 over Luke Fortner don't seem especially promising.

Winner: Zakee Wheatley, S

While Hecht struggled to make a difference, fellow Day 3 selection Zakee Wheatley flashed promise. It wasn't perfect by any stretch, and there are still things to work on, but the athletic safety always seemed to be around the action en route to a team-leading eight tackles.

Wheatley will be a rotational presence behind the projected starting duo of Tre'von Moehrig and Nick Scott on the backend. But he's got the tools to potentially gain his fair share of snaps as the campaign goes on.

Winner: Ja'seem Reed, WR

There is an enormous amount of hype around Ja'seem Reed right now. The wide receiver added to this by securing a touchdown and emerging as a real threat whenever his number was called.

Reed was only targeted three times, bringing in two receptions for 30 receiving yards and a score. But the fact he was utilized sparingly indicates the Panthers want to keep him relatively fresh before taking him through onto their 53-man roster.

Loser: Albert Reese IV, OT

The Panthers didn't risk Monroe Freeling or Rasheed Walker, which is understandable considering the injuries to Taylor Moton and Ikem Ekwonu. This gave those on the fringes a chance to impress, but Albert Reese IV looked a little lost.

Reese was too twitchy pre-snap. There was clear hesitancy in his play, and aside from a few impressive moments, it wasn't the sort of impact the offensive tackle hoped for.

Winner: Will Lee III, CB

Carolina is looking to involve Will Lee III from the moment he steps onto the field. The fourth-round cornerback provided a glimpse of what he could bring to the table with a few notable stops against the Cardinals' passing attack.

Lee mirrored receivers well in coverage when on the field. It wasn't flawless by any stretch of the imagination, but for his first preseason outing, there was more than enough to encourage.

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