Training camp begins for the Carolina Panthers on Thursday evening when they hold their first practice.
Here are nine questions that need to be answered by the time camp is over.
1. How healthy is Cam Newton’s shoulder?
At OTAs, Newton unveiled a new throwing motion featuring tighter and more fluid mechanics. In theory, this will put less stress on his twice surgically-repaired shoulder and should also make him a more accurate passer. Now it’s time to put those new mechanics to the test in full-speed team drills and see how his arm responds.
2. Is the QB2 job Will Grier’s to lose?
If things do go south for Newton’s throwing shoulder, Carolina has to have a legitimate backup quarterback ready to go. For the first time since they picked Newton at No. 1 overall, the Panthers drafted a quarterback this year, taking West Virginia’s Will Grier in the third round. Taylor Heinicke and Kyel Allen will compete with Grier for the right to be Newton’s top backup.
3. Is Greg Little ready to start at left tackle?
Newton’s shoulder of course was re-injured when the Steelers front seven teed off on him during Carolina’s excruciating Thursday night loss that effectively killed their season. Part of keeping Cam healthy will require better pass protection, especially at left tackle. That’s why the team used a second-round pick on Ole Miss OT Greg Little. It’s time to find out if he’s ready to start and if they’ll need to find a short-term solution if he isn’t. Daryl Williams and Taylor Moton are both potential answers if he still needs more time to develop.
4. Who will be Christian McCaffrey’s main backup?
Another interesting position battle to watch will be who sits behind McCaffrey as the team’s primary backup running back. Last year, the spot was filled by C.J. Anderson but they barely used him and eventually released him. This year, rookies Jordan Scarlett (fifth-round pick) and Elijah Holyfield (undrafted) will battle for the spot with Cameron Artis-Payne.
5. Who’s the odd man out at wide receiver?
Compared to recent seasons, Carolina is much deeper at the wide receiver position. It’s so crowded that a couple of quality wideouts are not going to make the cut. The guys who will likely battle for the sixth and last receiver spot on the roster are Rashad Ross, Aldrick Robinson and seventh-round pick Terry Godwin.
6. Will the Panthers play a 3-4 defense or a true hybrid?
Head coach Ron Rivera has said all offseason Carolina will play a hybrid defense. The team’s personnel moves (especially signing Gerald McCoy) indicate it’s going to be more 3-4 than 4-3, though. We probably won’t find out what kind of balance to expect until early in the regular season. If most of the practice looks feature McCoy, Kawann Short and Dontari Poe up front, that will be a good indication of where things are headed.
7. Could Donte Jackson play slot corner?
The Panthers signed former Buccaneers cornerback Javien Elliott recently, and he’s expected to be in the mix for the nickel spot. One possibility that hasn’t been mentioned much is second-year corner Donte Jackson playing at nickel. Jackson’s athleticism and skill-set makes him better suited to play that role than the team’s other corners. Also, the return of Ross Cockrell gives Carolina another sold option to start outside, freeing Jackson up to move elsewhere.
8. Is Rashaan Gaulden ready for his closeup?
The other key position battle on defense will take place at free safety. Mike Adams was allowed to walk in free agency, but the team hasn’t signed anybody to replace him. That makes second-year DB Rashaan Gaulden the likely favorite to start at the position Week 1. These next few weeks will tell us a lot about what to expect if that happens.
9. Will any undrafted free agents make the team?
Finally, this year the Panthers filled out their roster with a lot of veterans, either from the defunct AAF or other NFL teams. They only signed four undrafted free agents: Holyfield joins Utah safety Corrion Ballard, Cal linebacker Jordan Kunaszyk and Nicholls State wide receiver Damion Jeanpierre as the only UDFAs on the team.
