CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers open the 2024 NFL regular season at the New Orleans Saints on Sept. 8 at Caesars Superdome.
The roster has been revamped under new coach Dave Canales and new general manager Dan Morgan with the emphasis on taking pressure off quarterback Bryce Young, who is coming off a horrid rookie season in which he ranked near the bottom of the league in most key categories.
Most of the changes have centered around rebuilding the middle of the offensive line and upgrading the wide receiver corps, including trading for Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson and trading into the first round of the draft to take South Carolina's Xavier Legette.
Here is the 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACKS (2): Bryce Young, Andy Dalton
Canales wants to develop a third quarterback, but he'll likely do that on the practice squad with undrafted rookie Jack Plummer or a player to be added later. But the focus is on Young and getting the best out of him the way Canales has done with Baker Mayfield (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 2023), Geno Smith (Seattle Seahawks, 2022) and Russell Wilson (Seattle, 2020).
RUNNING BACKS (4): Jonathon Brooks, Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, Raheem Blackshear
Hubbard will go into camp, and perhaps even the season, as the starter since Brooks is recovering from a torn right ACL suffered in his final college season at Texas and begins camp on the physically unable to perform list. But once Brooks is healthy, he will be the starter because of the versatility he has over Hubbard and Sanders. While Canales says he has a big role for Sanders, he could be trade bait as an established veteran.
WIDE RECEIVERS (5): Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen, Jonathan Mingo, Ihmir Smith-Marsette
This group already is an upgrade over last season for Young, primarily because of Johnson. Legette, who dealt with a hamstring injury during offseason workouts, is expected to ready for camp and start opposite Johnson on the outside. Don't let Thielen's age (33) fool you. He's still going to be productive. The question is whether Mingo can outduel Terrace Marshall Jr., who had a big spring. Smith-Marsette's value is as a return specialist.
TIGHT ENDS (4): Tommy Tremble, Ian Thomas, Ja'Tavion Sanders, Stephen Sullivan
Sanders, another rookie out of Texas, may be the future big-time receiver at this position. But for now Tremble and Thomas are showing the potential to flourish in Canales' tight end-friendly scheme and not ready to give snaps to the newcomer. This position that has been a weak link at Carolina the past four seasons earned praised during OTAs.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (9): T Ikem Ekwonu, G Damien Lewis, C Austin Corbett, G Robert Hunt, T Taylor Moton, G/T Brady Christensen, T Yosh Nijman, T Ricky Lee, C/G Cade Mays
Spending $150 million in free agency on Hunt and Lewis to solidify the middle that allowed 35 of Young's 62 sacks in 2023 was key. There still are questions, such as how Corbett will transition from guard to center and whether 2022 first-round pick (No. 6 overall) Ekwonu can rebound from a disastrous second season. Guard Chandler Zavala, a fourth-round pick a year ago under the previous staff, could be a roster casualty.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (6): DE Derrick Brown, T Shy Tuttle, DE A'Shawn Robinson, T Nick Thurman, DE LaBryan Ray, T Jaden Crumedy
Adding Robinson opposite Brown, who is coming off a career-best season in 2023, didn't get a lot of offseason headlines. But the move was big in terms of giving Carolina another weapon up front to keep teams from running away from Brown. His presence also should lessen the pressure on Tuttle and allow Carolina's line to take blocks off their outside linebackers, which is key in defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero's 3-4 scheme.
LINEBACKERS (9): OLB Jadeveon Clowney, OLB D.J. Wonnum, OLB DJ Johnson, OLB K'Lavon Chaisson, OLB Amare Barno, ILB Shaq Thompson, ILB Josey Jewell, ILB Michael Barrett, ILB Trevin Wallace
Outside linebacker may be the thinnest and most vulnerable position on the team. Clowney is proven and healthy. He's also 31. Wonnum had a breakout season in 2023 in Minnesota with eight sacks, but he has yet to practice at Carolina due to a quadriceps injury that ended his 2023 season prematurely. Wonnum and Barno open camp on the PUP list. The rest of this group is in a prove-it mode and underwhelming. Inside, the Panthers are strong and proven with Thompson and Jewell.
CORNERBACKS (6): Jaycee Horn, Dane Jackson, Troy Hill, Chau Smith-Wade, Dicaprio Bootle, D'Shawn Jamison
Don't be surprised if the Panthers add another veteran here. Clowney continues to pressure high school (South Pointe in Rock Hill, South Carolina) teammate Stephon Gilmore to join him at the end of their careers. Getting a full season out of Horn, who has played 22 of a possible 51 games due to injuries, is key. When healthy, he has Pro Bowl potential. Jackson will have a heavy load if Gilmore isn't signed.
SAFETIES (5): Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller, Sam Franklin, Nick Scott, Jamie Robinson
Woods and Fuller will start, and Scott brings experience in Ejiro's system. The battle between Robinson and Alex Cook for depth will be something to watch. Franklin seems like a lock as a special teams standout who can fill in as an every-down player.
SPECIALISTS (3): P Johnny Hekker, PK Eddy Pineiro, LS JJ Jansen
As experienced and productive as any group on the roster. The only question during the offseason was whether Pineiro, who ranks third in all-time success rate (89%) for kickers, would hold out during mandatory minicamp as he seeks a new deal after skipping voluntary workouts. He showed up.