Carolina Panthers 53-man roster prediction: Offense
Quarterbacks (3): Bryce Young, Kenny Pickett, Haynes King
Bryce Young is the guy. The Carolina Panthers are counting on him to take the next step en route to potentially securing a lucrative contract extension. Even though the first-string offense was unable to secure a first down in any of their three drives versus the Buffalo Bills, that hasn't changed.
It seems as if Kenny Pickett is rooted in the QB2 role as Young's backup. He's been up and down, but did play relatively well at Highmark Stadium. And even though undrafted rookie Haynes King is currently dealing with a hamstring injury suffered on his game-winning touchdown run against the Arizona Cardinals, there remains enough excitement to take him through.
Running backs (4): Chuba Hubbard, Jonathon Brooks, Trevor Etienne, A.J. Dillon
Chuba Hubbard is currently dealing with a hamstring injury, but there remains hope he can be available in Week 1. Jonathon Brooks is now healthy after missing most of his Carolina career so far with two torn ACLs on the same knee, and he came through his first taste of contact unscathed against the Bills.
Given the injury worries around Brooks and Hubbard, it might be worth Carolina taking four running backs. All hope is not lost with Trevor Etienne, who was brought along gradually as a rookie, and free-agent signing A.J. Dillon has shown enough to be part of the team's plans over the first two preseason games.
Wide receivers (6): Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, David Moore, Jimmy Horn Jr., Ja'seem Reed
The wide receiver dynamic remains intriguing. Competition for places further down the pecking order is fierce, and good players will be cut loose. It's a nice problem for the Panthers to have, but there are still unknowns attached.
In this scenario, we are taking six receivers through. It could easily be seven, so it'll be interesting to see which direction those in power take.
Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, and Xavier Legette are locks. Dave Canales fully trusts David Moore, so he'll be in as well. Jimmy Horn Jr. has done well over the preseason, and Ja'seem Reed's sterling summer has propelled him into legitimate roster contention.
If these six wideouts are the chosen path, John Metchie III and Brycen Tremayne will be on the outside looking in.
Tight ends (4): Darren Waller, Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, Ja'Tavion Sanders
Much has been made about the problems at tight end. The Panthers wanted to see what they had before making any moves, and the signing of Darren Waller suggests dissatisfaction with the dynamic.
Waller has had trouble staying healthy, but he's a big-bodied mismatch who represents an upgrade on anything Carolina has in the passing game at tight end. This might also push everyone else a little further down the order.
Tommy Tremble is a high-quality blocker. Mitchell Evans still has potential, so he'll go through. Waller's arrival could impact Ja'Tavion Sanders more than most, but it would be a shock if he wasn't on the team.
Offensive line (9): Rasheed Walker, Damien Lewis, Luke Fortner, Robert Hunt, Monroe Freeling, Brady Christensen, Sam Hecht, Ja'Tyre Carter, Stone Forsythe
Not having Taylor Moton or Ikem Ekwonu to depend upon is disappointing. And based on the preseason outing against the Bills, the Panthers need their starting offensive line to stay healthy throughout the campaign.
Monroe Freeling, Rasheed Walker, Luke Fortner, Damien Lewis, and Robert Hunt are integral to the team's chances. The depth behind them is a glaring concern, so Dan Morgan would be wise to scour the waiver wire after final cuts for potential upgrades to give this unit some stability in the backup areas.
Because what they have at their disposal right now just isn't good enough.
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