The foundations have been laid over early workouts. Dave Canales and his staff asked a lot of the players before they headed off on their short summer break. Training camp represents another opportunity to catch the eye and ensure they're ready to hit the ground running during the regular season.
Nobody is expecting the Carolina Panthers to fight for postseason honors in 2024. There are too many questions and concerns to suggest anything other than another losing record right now. That will change when results improve, but confidence is high within the building that the fresh injection of ideas and personnel can reap instant rewards.
Players are fighting to prove their worth and cement depth chart statuses. Others are looking to remove the stigma surrounding their previous fortunes and make a better go of things under the new regime.
With that being said, here are three Panthers players facing an uphill battle during the team's training camp in 2024.
Jammie Robinson - Carolina Panthers S
The Carolina Panthers seem set on the backend with Jordan Fuller and Xavier Woods as their starting safety tandem. Sam Franklin Jr. was brought back and Nick Scott signed in free agency. Ejiro Evero used Alex Cook more than anticipated last season. This places Jammie Robinson's fortunes next season firmly under the microscope.
Robinson was a Day 3 pick last season who wasn't trusted with many significant reps on the defensive rotation. He played 70 percent of special teams snaps. Whether the former Florida State standout can gain anything more at this juncture remains to be seen.
He'll fight with everything to make the coaching staff think differently about his aspirations. Robinson's got the right mentality to keep everyone in the safety room on their toes. That said, it's going to take a considerable effort to surge up the depth chart given the options at Carolina's disposal.
The 2023 fifth-rounder has his work cut out, but he won't be found wanting for effort that's for sure.
Cade Mays - Carolina Panthers OL
The Carolina Panthers got the checkbook out to make significant improvements to their offensive line in 2024. Those in power needed to solidify the protection in front of quarterback Bryce Young. They accomplished this by spending big money on Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis to become their new starting guard tandem.
Austin Corbett's switch to the center position could go either way. The Panthers also have a new swing tackle in Yosh Nijman and Brady Christensen as a versatile depth piece. Others further down the pecking order are scrapping for roster places - something that will become clearer during the team's training camp.
One player with a lot of hard work ahead is Cade Mays. He's been a forgotten man of sorts this offseason thanks to the influx of new arrivals. If those in power had any confidence in the former sixth-round selection, they wouldn't have acted with such urgency for reinforcements.
The fact Christensen is taking backup center snaps over Mays speaks volumes. But in all honesty, the Tennessee product hasn't done enough when called upon to warrant extended involvement as yet.
Whether that can change under the watchful eye of Dave Canales' coaching staff is debatable. Mays' versatility will help his cause, but beating out players like Nash Jensen and Chandler Zavala is the only way he's going to attain a roster spot in 2024.
The stakes are high for Mays. The margin for error is also slimmer than ever. Especially considering Canales' comments about having no sentimental attachment to any player as part of his grand plans for sustained on-field growth.
Unless Mays uses this added competition as a motivational tool, he could be looking for alternative employment when final cuts arrive. How the interior offensive lineman performs during preseason games will go a long way to determining his fortunes in 2024.
Jonathan Mingo - Carolina Panthers WR
Jonathan Mingo's rookie season didn't go according to plan. He'll be the first to admit that. But if the likes of quarterback Bryce Young are getting a pass for their first-year struggles, he should too.
Mingo's got some impressive physical attributes. Dave Canales must figure out how to utilize them correctly. The player must also improve his route-running and concentration to begin making the strides expected of a second-round selection.
There's been a different attitude to Mingo's approach this offseason with Canales leading the charge. However, the former Ole Miss star needs to impose himself following several intriguing additions to the wide receiver room.
The Carolina Panthers secured the services of Diontae Johnson via trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers. He's got some baggage attached, but the player instantly becomes the best route-runner on the team despite the presence of veteran Adam Thielen.
Perhaps more telling was the Panthers selecting Xavier Legette at No. 32 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. He's got similar physical attributes to Mingo. He's also faster and more explosive with the football in his hands.
From the outside looking in, Mingo is No. 4 on the wideout depth chart. That doesn't mean he won't be without targets or involvement within a scheme that should be better suited to his strengths. But the gauntlet has been laid down in no uncertain terms thanks to these two additions in particular.
Mingo is confident he can bounce back. Having previously developed chemistry with Young should help. Much like the situation with Cade Mays and others, imposing himself immediately is critical after a lackluster first season in a professional environment.
In an ideal world, Mingo will overtake Thielen and become a genuine focal point capable of lining up anywhere along the line of scrimmage with equal success. The Panthers need their youth movement to step up and provide hope for the future. That's why the stakes are so great for the wideout during Carolina's training camp in Charlotte.