No NFL team went through more significant changes than the Panthers this offseason. During the Ron Rivera era, their success was founded on an elite defensive front seven, a run-first offensive philosophy and frequently getting bailed out by a gifted athlete at quarterback.
The formula to win games for Matt Rhule is going to have to be different. Let’s reorient ourselves with the state of the roster by ranking each position group on the team, starting with the strongest unit.
1. Wide receiver
Starters: D.J. Moore, Robby Anderson, Curtis Samuel
Backups: Seth Roberts, Keith Kirkwood, Pharoh Cooper, Omar Bayless, Brandon Zylstra, DeAndrew White, Ishmael Hyman, Damion Jeanpiere, TreVontae Hights
Analysis: Rhule told reporters a while back that sometimes teams need to rely on their fastball. Right now, Carolina’s fastball is definitely this wide receiver corps, which is as fast and deep as any in the NFL. Moore came on strong late in 2019 and might develop into an elite wideout in year three. Samuel remains a terrifically underrated deep threat and the addition of Anderson completes a solid 1-3. There’s also some sleeper potential in Cooper and Bayless, who should make the team. To reach their full potential, they’ll need good pass protection up front and an aggressive game-plan. However, for sheer talent these receivers can compete with anyone.
2. Running back
Starter: Christian McCaffrey
Backups: Reggie Bonnafon, Rodney Smith, Jordan Scarlett, Mike Davis
Analysis: Some say running backs don’t matter. While it’s true their success depends a lot on other factors, it never hurts to have a generational playmaker. McCaffrey is the most dynamic back in the sport and whoever is second isn’t close. That said, he can’t continue to get 400+ touches a season if he’s going to play at this level for much longer. It will be critical for offensive coordinator Joe Brady to get the other running backs more involved. Bonnafon flashed in 2019 and should see more opportunities this season. Smith’s unique six-year college career gives him experience that will come in handy if either McCaffrey or Bonnafon get injured.
3. Linebacker
Starters: Shaq Thompson, Tahir Whitehead
Backups: Jermaine Carter Jr., Andre Smith, Jordan Kunaszyk, Jordan Mack, David Reese II, Chris Orr, Chris Ferris, Sione Teuhema, Sam Franklin
Analysis: Losing Luke Kuechly to an early retirement is an undeniable bummer and it’s practically impossible to replace him. Drafting Isaiah Simmons would have helped, but it’s too late for that now. Signing Whitehead was a critical move, as he’ll give defensive coordinator Phil Snow another option if Thompson has a tough time adjusting to Kuechly’s old MLB role. The Panthers also signed a number of promising linebackers as undrafted free agents. Jordan Mack is the best of them, but we can expect a few to make the final 53-man roster.
4. Quarterback
Starter: Teddy Bridgewater
Backups: P.J. Walker, Will Grier
Analysis: We really like Bridgewater’s fit with this team. In fact, in both the 2018 and 2019 offseasons we suggested the Panthers should sign him. Then again, the idea was for him to serve as Cam Newton’s backup, not replace him as the starter. The good news is Bridgewater is one of the league’s most capable game managers and his level-headed approach will help avoid the turnover problems that plagued the team in 2019. He’s accurate, precise and better at throwing the deep ball than most give him credit for. Also, his history with Brady should help the transition to a new playbook. As for the rest, Walker proved he has potential in the XFL and is probably the most intriguing backup in the league. Grier is on his way to being a bust, though.
5. Offensive tackle
Starters: Russell Okung, Taylor Moton
Backups: Greg Little, Dennis Daley, Tyler Marz, Matt Kaskey, Aaron Monteiro, Juwann Bushell-Beatty, Branden Bowen
Analysis: We aren’t crazy about the trade that sent Trai Turner to the Chargers for Okung. However, it did give the team a boost at a position that has been a sore spot for seven years, now. Moton has been the Panthers’ best offensive lineman for a while and he deserves an extension. If Okung can stay healthy and hold up his end of the bargain, it should make life much easier on Carolina’s QBs than it was for Cam Newton. There’s also a couple of quality backups here in Little and Daley. Unless this group gets hit hard by injuries, it could be considered a strength.
6. Safety
Starters: Tre Boston, Jeremy Chinn
Backups: Juston Burris, Kenny Robinson, Quin Blanding, T.J. Green, Natrell Jamerson
Analysis: Releasing Eric Reid was a cap negative move that made no sense. However, general manager Marty Hurney made up for it by hitting this position hard in the 2020 NFL draft. Trading up for Chinn at the end of the second round was the best move he made this year. Chinn has the physical tools to be an upgrade over Reid once he gets settled. Adding Robinson in the fifth round also gives them a top-notch backup behind Boston at the free safety spot. If Burris can handle a larger role in the event he’s asked to start or if somebody else gets hurt, this unit should be just fine.
7. EDGE
Starters: Brian Burns, Yetur Gross-Matos
Backups: Christian Miller, Marquis Haynes, Efe Obada, Stephen Weatherly, Myles Adams
Analysis: This position was hit hard by free agency. Mario Addison and Bruce Irvin may be past their prime, but they were also capable and productive starters with a ton of experience. The Panthers will need Burns to have a breakout season if their EDGE rotation is going to be successful at all. Considering he totaled 7.5 sacks on just 43% of the snaps, that shouldn’t be a problem. Gross-Matos will also have to develop fast or else the other pass rushers will inevitably face more double teams. We’re excited to see what Miller and Haynes can do with more playing time, but aside from those two the depth here is iffy at best.
8. Interior offensive line
Starters: Michael Schofield, Matt Paradis, John Miller
Backups: Tyler Larsen, Chris Reed, Mike Horton, Fred Mauigoa, Sam Tecklenburg
Analysis: How well these guys perform in 2020 will be a critical factor in determining the offense’s success. Paradis was a major disappointment last season at center and will need to have a bounce-back season, or else the entire offensive line will suffer. Schofield and Miller are projected to replace Greg Van Roten and Trai Turner at guard. Improved pass protection is the key, here. Schofield will be an upgrade over Van Roten in this respect. If Miller can offer the same over Turner it will be huge. The Panthers also have some decent depth inside, especially with the versatile Larsen.
9. Defensive tackle
Starters: Kawann Short, Derrick Brown
Backups: Bravvion Roy, Zach Kerr, Chris Smith, Woodrow Hamilton, Austrian Robinson, Davonte Lambert
Analysis: Going into last year, this was the top position group on the team. After losing Gerald McCoy, Dontari Poe, Vernon Butler and Kyle Love, it’s now one of the weakest. Getting Short back after a season-ending shoulder injury should help a lot. He’ll need to return to his dominant, double-team commanding form to boost this interior group. The x-factor for this position is Brown. In order to justify picking him so high, he will need to become more than rust a run stopper. If Brown can develop into a pass-rushing threat, it will solve a lot of problems up front. An injury to either Brown or Short could prove devastating, though.
10. Tight end
Starter: Ian Thomas
Backups: Chris Manhertz, Seth DeValve, Temarrick Hemingway, Colin Thompson
Analysis: Greg Olsen may not be the same playmaker who averaged over 1,000 yards from 2014-2016. That doesn’t mean Carolina won’t miss him dearly. Thomas is one of the biggest question marks for this offense. While he has plus athleticism, he’s lacking in experience and his drop rate (10% in 2019) is extremely concerning. Thomas needs to develop softer hands and get into a rhythm with Bridgewater fast, because there’s no other true pass-catching tight ends on the roster. Signing somebody like Thaddeus Moss would have made a lot of sense.
11. Cornerback
Starters: Donte Jackson, Troy Pride Jr.
Backups: Corn Elder, Cole Luke, Stantley Thomas Oliver III, Derrek Thomas, Myles Hartsfield
Analysis: Yikes. That’s the situation in Carolina’s cornerback room right now, which was not that strong to begin with and is reeling from losing three key pieces in James Bradberry, Ross Cockrell and Javien Elliott. It’s still not clear who will play the slot position and if Pride isn’t ready to roll right away the Panthers are going to get absolutely lit up by quarterbacks who know how to pick on weak corners. Unless they sign a proven veteran before the season begins, we may be in for another 300-yard performance from Julio Jones. Why not bring Cockrell back at least?
12. Special teams
Starters: Graham Gano, Michael Palardy, J.J. Jansen, Pharoh Cooper
Backups: Joey Slye
Analysis: Specialists don’t get much attention unless something goes wrong, and we noticed them far too often last year. Carolina’s punt coverage unit was worse than atrocious in 2019 and their own return game has been mediocre at best for a long time. Cooper’s vision and agility should help turn that element around, at least. However, the rest of this equation might be a total mess. Gano is coming off a serious leg injury and Slye’s confidence might not recover from a brutal second half of the season. Football Outsiders is projecting this will be the worst special teams unit in the NFL this year and it’s tough to argue the point.
