Which Carolina Panthers players are emerging as surprising candidates to make the 53-man roster heading into the 2023 campaign?
One thing the Carolina Panthers and their new regime have preached throughout the offseason so far is the importance of competition. They want each player fighting for their spots - from the most established in the locker room to those further down the pecking order attempting to carve out roles for themselves - something that could improve performances in a competitive environment along the way.
Carolina's strength in depth only improved throughout the spring. It was a frantic period of recruitment during free agency and the 2023 NFL Draft, with more potentially on the way considering the salary-cap space available to general manager Scott Fitterer.
We'll find out more about which position groups need reinforcements when the pads start clapping at training camp. Until then, head coach Frank Reich is giving everyone a clean slate as he looks to make everyone earn their respective depth chart statuses.
With that in mind, here are four surprising candidates to make Carolina's 53-man roster in 2023.
Rejzohn Wright - Carolina Panthers CB
The Carolina Panthers opted not to strengthen their cornerback options much during the spring. While this could come back to haunt them, it provides a window of opportunity for Rejzohn Wright to emerge from undrafted free agency and into a roster spot.
Wright was perhaps unfortunate to not hear his name called during the draft. The Last Chance U star has some impressive athletic intangibles that could be molded into something more, which would be a pleasant surprise for the Panthers given how many questions surround this particular position group heading into the campaign.
It'll be a tough ask for Wright to earn defensive reps as a rookie and missing a large part of early workouts through injury wasn't ideal. However, all he'll need is a strong training camp to confirm his status on the roster.
Derek Wright - Carolina Panthers WR
Much has been made about the Carolina Panthers sacrificing D.J. Moore in their quest to finally solve the team's quarterback problems. His inclusion was a necessity from the Chicago Bears' standpoint to rubber-stamp the trade, which provides Justin Fields with a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver entering a critical Year 3 of his professional career.
As for the Panthers, they also have genuine hope better fortunes could be on the way with Bryce Young under center. Moore's loss will be felt, but those in power seem confident enough that a wideout-by-committee approach can suffice unless someone like Terrace Marshall Jr. or Jonathan Mingo breaks out.
Much will depend on how many receivers Carolina takes through onto the roster. Five places appear set in stone, so it's a fight between the rest for one or two remaining spots during their upcoming training camp in Spartanburg.
One player that remains overlooked but is quietly growing in confidence is Derek Wright. While considered by many to be an outsider to make the roster, he's been among the standout contributors throughout early workouts once again and caught the attention of head coach Frank Reich, who was surprised by what the wideout had to offer.
This is the same trend Wright managed to put together last summer before eventually settling for a place on the practice squad. While that wouldn't be the end of the world once again, impressing in the preseason represents the next logical step that might just provide an opportunity - however unlikely it might appear.
Marquan McCall - Carolina Panthers NT
This might be a strange name to appear on this list considering that Marquan McCall made the 53-man roster in 2022. But with a new coaching staff coming into the fold and a key defensive scheme switch, it means the mammoth nose tackle has to impress all over again.
The Carolina Panthers got more than they bargained for with McCall last season. He was scooped up quickly in undrafted free agency and immediately set about imposing himself, coming up with some eye-catching plays in the preseason and earning a roster place in no uncertain terms.
McCall didn't find things nearly as easy in a competitive environment. The former Kentucky star started well enough but tailed off significantly over the second half of 2022 as interim head coach Steve Wilks took the Panthers to within touching distance of a shock NFC South title triumph.
This obviously left McCall's hopes hanging in the balance with a new staff coming into the fold. However, Ejiro Evero's transition to a 3-4 base defense could see the gargantuan interior lineman become a nice backup option behind starting nose tackle Shy Tuttle provided he impresses enough at Wofford College.
For players like McCall, this is a year-to-year league with little in the way of guaranteed involvement attached. But if the fiery figure can leave a similar mark as last summer, he could be another surprising inclusion onto the roster despite the presence of veterans such as John Penisini also in contention.
Michael Jordan - Carolina Panthers OL
Many fans thought they'd seen the last of Michael Jordan in a Carolina Panthers uniform. But as his namesake gets set to sell the Charlotte Hornets and leave town, the veteran offensive lineman will once again try to force his way onto the 53-man roster after signing a one-year deal following the 2023 NFL Draft.
Jordan is a gap-run-blocking force that is a formidable obstacle to overcome in space. While his pass-blocking hasn't been up to the required standard since joining the Panthers, there is enough to go off to ensure he competes hard for a place on the depth chart entering Week 1 at the Atlanta Falcons.
Carolina improved their backup offensive line options throughout the offseason, especially on the interior. Justin McCray was a decent pickup in free agency and hopes are high that fourth-rounder Chandler Zavala can make a smooth transition and help much sooner than the development project he was tabbed as during pre-draft evaluations.
Cam Erving is another that can assist thanks to his leadership and position versatility. Therefore, it's absolutely imperative that Jordan hits the ground running and maximizes every opportunity when working with the first or second units.
Chances like this will arrive as Austin Corbett works his way back from a torn ACL. The likes of Cade Mays and Zavala might be preferred initially, but the former Ohio State star has risen from obscurity before and could do so again.