1 Charles Godfrey will have more of an impact as a rookie than any first-year defensive back in Panthers history… or at least since Mike Minter.

Godfrey, a strong safety who was the Panthers' third-round draft pick, has been playing with the first team since his first day at last spring's minicamp and will start Sunday in San Diego. He's a fast learner who spent a lot of time watching drills with secondary coach Mike Gillhamer during training camp. He's a player very much in the mold of Minter, who started 11 games as a rookie in 1997 and was a fixture in the secondary until he retired after the 2006 season. He's also wearing Minter's old number 30.

2 The super-specialized kicking game will be one of the best in the league.

With Rhys Lloyd on the roster as a kickoff specialist, the Panthers will add a strong leg to an already reliable duo of veterans – field-goal kicker John Kasay and punter Jason Baker. Lloyd can consistently get the ball into the end zone, something Kasay struggled with last season, which will give opponents worse field position. Kasay, the last original Panther, is 13th in NFL history with 1,504 points. Baker led the NFC last season with 31 punts inside the 20.

3 Dante Rosario becomes Jake Delhomme's go-to guy after Steve Smith and Muhsin Muhammad.

Rosario might be the Panthers' most skilled receiver at tight end since Wesley Walls. His touchdown catch in the preseason against Washington was a hint of that. Rosario (6-foot-4, 250 pounds) is athletic, fast and can stretch defenses. He says he hopes he can model himself after tight ends around the league like Cleveland's Kellen Winslow Jr. and San Diego's Antonio Gates.

4 Jonathan Stewart will be the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year.

We only caught a glimpse of Stewart in the preseason: Remember that 50-yard touchdown run against Washington? It wasn't a fluke. He'll split time with DeAngelo Williams – cutting down on the wear and tear on his body – and make a huge impact with his speed and power. The Panthers have the running back they've been waiting for since Stephen Davis's hey-day.

5 Damione Lewis emerges to solidify the defensive line.

A lot of attention has been focused on Julius Peppers' switch from left end to right, but Lewis had a solid preseason at defensive tackle. He'll help a unit that had a franchise-low 23 sacks in 2007 bounce back. Lewis' outgoing personality makes him a natural leader, which fills a void left by the retirement of Mike Rucker and Kris Jenkins' trade.