Unlike previous preseasons when it was split into two waves, NFL roster cuts will come in one fell swoop this year. Teams must get from 90 players to 53 by Aug. 29, and coach Frank Reich anticipates the Carolina Panthers carrying their full complement until the deadline.
“There could be an exception or two to that,” Reich said Sunday. “But it just makes sense to have all those bodies right to the deadline.”
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Perhaps owing to the coaching change and the different personnel needs for the offensive and defensive systems, it feels like there are more guys on the roster bubble this summer. Reich and general manager Scott Fitterer have several practices and one more exhibition — Friday against the Detroit Lions — to figure out how the various position groups will shake out. Injuries will play a factor and Reich hasn’t revealed much about specific timelines, presumably to protect the Panthers’ leverage if they look for external help at a position or two.
With a little more than a week before cutdown day, The Athletic examines how many spots are up for grabs and which players have the inside track to fill them. We’ll start with the guys who appear to be — if not locks, then at least those who look to be fairly safe bets to make the team.
Yes, it's the preseason. But Panthers' 2nd-year left tackle Ikem Ekwonu has now struggled vs. good edge rushers in back-to-back games. He's among the fallers in our stock report from Panthers-Giants.
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Quarterback (2): Bryce Young, Andy Dalton
Running back (3): Miles Sanders, Chuba Hubbard, Raheem Blackshear
Wide receiver (5): Adam Thielen, DJ Chark, Jonathan Mingo, Laviska Shenault, Terrace Marshall
Tight end (3): Hayden Hurst, Ian Thomas, Tommy Tremble
Offensive line (7): Ikem Ekwonu, Brady Christensen, Bradley Bozeman, Taylor Moton, Chandler Zavala, Cam Erving, Cade Mays
Interior defensive line (4): Derrick Brown, DeShawn Williams, Shy Tuttle, Henry Anderson
Edge (5): Brian Burns, Justin Houston, Marquis Haynes, Yetur Gross-Matos, DJ Johnson
Inside linebacker (4): Shaq Thompson, Frankie Luvu, Deion Jones, Kamu Grugier-Hill
Cornerback (5): Jaycee Horn, Donte Jackson, C.J. Henderson, Keith Taylor, Troy Hill
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Safety (5): Xavier Woods, Vonn Bell, Jeremy Chinn, Jammie Robinson, Sam Franklin
Specialists (3): Eddy Pineiro, Johnny Hekker, J.J. Jansen
By my math (and there’s a reason I was an English major), that’s 46 players who shouldn’t have to sweat too much next week when the phone calls start asking guys to come to the stadium — and bring their playbooks.
That includes the veteran corner Hill, who agreed to terms Sunday night. Hill has ties to defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero and cornerbacks coach Jonathan Cooley from their time with the Los Angeles Rams. There are at least nine players listed above dealing with injuries — Dalton, Sanders, Hubbard, Marshall, Mays, Erving, Anderson, Haynes and Pineiro. If all are cleared, they’re on the team. (I didn’t include right guard Austin Corbett because he’s not going to be ready for the regular season following ACL surgery in January.)
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If they’re not all cleared, well, that’s where it gets interesting for some of the 21 players I consider “bubble guys” fighting for the final seven roster spots. My list, plus a prediction on who makes it:
QB Matt Corral: The third-round pick from 2022 looked good against the New York Giants but is still a year away from being a dependable backup following a rookie season lost to injury. Teams can designate an emergency third quarterback on game day this season, and Dalton has been sidelined for nearly a week with a balky back. “(With the) premium at that position, you’d like to be able to develop guys,” Reich said. “I think Matt’s done a good job and has continued to develop. So feel good about the steps he’s taken.”
RB Spencer Brown: The 6-foot, 220-pound Brown is as close to a power back as the Panthers have. The former UAB standout is 10th among NFC backs with 60 rushing yards in the preseason but is averaging only 3.3 yards per carry.
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WR Shi Smith: Injuries to Marshall (back) and Damiere Byrd (on injured reserve with a hamstring tear) have created opportunities for Smith and others. Smith arguably has the most talent of the group but coaches want to see more consistency from the 2021 sixth-round pick from South Carolina.
WR Javon Wims: The former Georgia wideout was targeted seven times in the exhibition opener against the New York Jets. The Panthers like Wims’ physical style and ability to play special teams.
WR Derek Wright: Wright, who signed last year as an undrafted free agent from Utah State, caught as many passes as any Panthers’ receiver during OTAs and training camp. But Wright has been sidelined since injuring his knee against the Jets.
TE Giovanni Ricci: If Ricci makes the roster for a third consecutive year, it will be because of his special teams prowess. His 12 special teams reps Friday were a team high.
TE Stephen Sullivan: Reich loves the versatility of the tight end room and Sullivan has the speed and size to be a matchup problem. But he missed the first two preseason games with a leg/hip injury.
OL Justin McCray: None of the Panthers’ interior offensive linemen have played great during the preseason. McCray would seem to be a lock because of his experience and ties to offensive line coach James Campen. McCray’s one-year, $1.77 million contract includes only $690,000 guaranteed, which was his signing bonus.
OL Nash Jensen: No one in NCAA history played more games than Jensen, who logged 70 in five years at North Dakota State. Jensen, an undrafted free agent, is in the mix for Corbett’s spot at right guard. If he’s not on the 53-man roster, Jensen is a no-brainer for the practice squad.
OL Michael Jordan: Charlotte’s other MJ had a rough night against the Jets. But Jordan is a big body who also has lined up at right tackle, and versatility is a valued commodity among backup O-linemen.
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OL Deonte Brown: The former Alabama lineman has lost a lot of weight since the 2022 preseason and has looked better this summer.
DL Raequan Williams: Williams started at nose tackle against the Giants and had one of the Panthers’ two sacks (on Tyrod Taylor). The former Eagle is likely competing with Marquan McCall for the last interior slot.
DL Marquan McCall: The 6-3, 345-pound McCall has a size advantage over Williams. The 2022 undrafted free agent from Kentucky played in 16 games for the Panthers as a rookie.
DL LaBryan Ray: The ex-Alabama defensive lineman, who played in the USFL during the spring, inserted himself into the conversation with a sack of Taylor on the final play of the first half Friday.
Edge Amaré Barno: Last year’s sixth-round pick from Virginia Tech had a sack in the exhibition opener and should have had one against the Giants but somehow let rookie Tommy DeVito escape his grasp. Barno is long, athletic and makes plays on special teams, which should be enough to stick.
Edge Kobe Jones: Jones made a strong impression at Wofford. And while he hasn’t made an impact as a pass rusher in the two preseason games, he’s fit the run well.
Edge Eku Leota: Like Jones, the undrafted free agent from Auburn has had a good camp. Leota had one of only two quarterback hits (along with Barno) in the exhibition opener against the Jets.
LB Brandon Smith: Smith, a fourth-round pick from Penn State in 2022, has size, speed and athleticism. But it has not translated into consistent playmaking.
LB Chandler Wooten: Wooten, another Auburn product, leads the Panthers with seven solo tackles during the preseason. Wooten played in nine games for the Panthers in 2022 as a special teams regular, and could play a role for that unit again.
CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver: Jackson was singing Thomas-Oliver’s praises for his work during OTAs and minicamp while Jackson was out. Thomas-Oliver also has special teams experience but did not play against the Giants.
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S Eric Rowe: The veteran defensive back’s stock slid Friday when he was badly beaten on a 33-yard touchdown by Giants rookie receiver Jalin Hyatt, who shook Rowe on a post-corner route.
Prediction: Corral, Shi Smith, Ricci, McCray, Jensen, McCall and Barno.
Corral’s on a team-friendly rookie deal at a premium position, as Reich put it. His trade value would likely be higher next year if he puts some more solid games on tape. Smith can make plays in the passing game and has return experience. Barno and Ricci are dependable special teams guys. I struggled with the last couple of offensive line spots but the fact that Reich wanted to wait for Jensen and Zavala to get healthy before deciding on a right guard tells me there’s a good chance both rookies make the team.
(Top photos of Shi Smith, Matt Corral, Brandon Smith: Vincent Carchietta / USA Today)
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