Panthers 53-man roster: Where biggest needs remain, plus bottom of WR group gets new look (2024)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Analyzing NFL roster cuts shortly after they happen is a caveat-filled endeavor because of all the comings and goings that happen in the 24 hours after initial rosters are set.

But the “yeah, but …” segues are even more necessary this year for the Carolina Panthers, who will hold the top position on the waiver wire through Week 3 and are expected to use it liberally in shaping their 53-man roster.

Still, there were nuggets to glean from the Panthers’ moves ahead of Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET deadline for roster cutdowns, the first of the Dave Canales and Dan Morgan era. And while the roster is subject to change (and will), The Athletic examines five takeaways from the initial 53.

Bottom of receiver group gets a makeover

A day after Canales called wide receiver the team’s strongest position group coming out of training camp, the Panthers kept seven wideouts. The most notable cut was a holdover from the Frank Reich/Scott Fitterer regime — Terrace Marshall, a second-round pick from 2021.

Morgan tried unsuccessfully to trade Marshall, who had a good performance during the Jets’ joint practice and scored a touchdown in the final preseason game at Buffalo. But Canales ominously said last week the Panthers would consider Marshall’s entire, hit-or-miss body of work, which was largely a miss. Still, it would surprise no one if Marshall ends up in Washington (where Fitterer is in the front office) or Buffalo (where Joe Brady, who was with Marshall at LSU and Carolina, is the offensive coordinator).

While moving on from Marshall, the Panthers went with familiarity in David Moore. The veteran was with Canales at his two previous stints, is considered a leader in the locker room and on special teams. The Panthers also kept undrafted free agent Jalen co*ker, the Holy Cross all-time receiving leader who they didn’t want to risk losing on waivers.

Incoming: An edge rusher and more

The initial roster only includes four outside linebackers on the active, plus two who remained on the physically unable to perform list — D.J. Wonnum and Amare Barno. Both will miss at least four games, although Canales seemed to indicate this week Barno will be out longer. So unless the Panthers are prepared to roll into New Orleans with only DJ Johnson, K’Lavon Chaisson and Eku Leota as complements to Jadeveon Clowney, expect Morgan to claim, sign or trade for another edge rusher.

Other groups where the Panthers could add: cornerback (with Dane Jackson missing a minimum of four games), inside linebacker and tight end (depending on Ian Thomas’ status for Week 1).

Developmental guys for a team in transition

co*ker was one of several young players the Panthers kept for what figures to be the first year in a rebuilding process. With Canales and Morgan declining to set expectations for this season — at least publicly — it’s reasonable to suggest both would be open to the long play with a few guys who showed promise this summer.

That group includes co*ker, undrafted center Andrew Raym, undrafted safety Demani Richardson, second-year guard Chandler Zavala and rookie defensive lineman Jaden Crumedy, a sixth-round pick who has been sidelined with a high ankle sprain.

A team trying to contend immediately might have kept 32-year-old tight end Jordan Matthews after a strong preseason (and Matthews could still return). But in hanging on to a player like Raym, the Panthers get a year to see if the former Oklahoma lineman could be the replacement for Austin Corbett, who is in the final year of his contract.

Positions that seem a little heavy

The Panthers had seven wideouts on their initial roster last year, then moved Derek Wright to their practice squad two days later. They could try to stash co*ker on the practice squad this year after teams set their roster. It’s also unclear what Ihmir Smith-Marsette’s Week 1 status will be: The receiver/return specialist was set to undergo more testing on his injured foot Monday.

Ejiro Evero currently has seven defensive linemen on the depth chart, including Crumedy and Jayden Peevy. This group almost certainly will be pared down to make room for other spots on defense like those mentioned above.

RIP to another member of the 2021 draft class

With Marshall moving on, the Panthers only have four guys left from the 11-player draft class from 2021, which was Fitterer’s first. The survivors include three starters (Jaycee Horn, Tommy Tremble and Chuba Hubbard) and a starter-turned-valuable-backup (Brady Christensen).

Besides Marshall, the other ’21 castoffs were all Day-3 picks: fifth-rounders Daviyon Nixon and Keith Taylor, sixth-round selections Deonte Brown, Shi Smith and Thomas Fletcher (an Alabama long-snapper who was a Matt Rhule special) and seventh-rounder Phil Hoskins.

Panthers 53-man roster

Quarterback (2): Bryce Young, Andy Dalton

Running back (3): Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, Raheem Blackshear

Wide receiver (7): Adam Thielen, Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, Jonathan Mingo, Ihmir Smith-Marsette, David Moore, Jalen co*ker

Tight end (3): Tommy Tremble, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Ian Thomas

Offensive line (10): Ikem Ekwonu, Damien Lewis, Austin Corbett, Robert Hunt, Taylor Moton, Yosh Nijman, Brady Christensen, Chandler Zavala, Andrew Raym, Cade Mays

Interior defensive line (7): Derrick Brown, A’Shawn Robinson, Shy Tuttle, LaBryan Ray, Nick Thurman, Jaden Crumedy, Jayden Peevy

Edge (4): Jadeveon Clowney, K’Lavon Chaisson, DJ Johnson, Eku Leota

Inside linebacker (4): Shaq Thompson, Josey Jewell, Trevin Wallace, Claudin Cherelus

Cornerback (5): Jaycee Horn, Michael Jackson, Troy Hill, Chau Smith-Wade, D’Shawn Jamison

Safety (5): Xavier Woods, Jordan Fuller, Nick Scott, Jammie Robinson, Demani Richardson

Specialists (3): Eddy Pineiro, Johnny Hekker, J.J. Jansen

Also:

Reserve/PUP list: edge Amare Barno, edge D.J. Wonnum

Reserve/non-football injury: RB Jonathon Brooks

Injured reserve (designated for return):CB Dane Jackson, S Sam Franklin

Injured reserve: LB Tae Davis, OLB Cam Gill

(Top photo of Jalen co*ker: Mark Konezny / USA Today)

Joe Person is a senior writer for The Athletic covering the Carolina Panthers. He has covered the team since 2010, previously for the Charlotte Observer. A native of Williamsport, Pa., Joe is a graduate of William & Mary, known for producing presidents and NFL head coaches. Follow Joseph on X @josephperson Follow Joseph on Twitter @josephperson