Carolina Panthers 53-man roster projection — and who makes the practice squad
The start of the regular season is just around the corner.
The Panthers, and the 31 other NFL teams, have to cut their rosters down to 53 players by Saturday. They can have an additional 16 on this year’s practice squad, opening up more opportunities due to COVID-19.
After watching the team practice for the past two weeks, some lingering questions have been answered. To prepare for the big cut down of the current 80-man roster, here’s a look at a projection of the team’s 53-man roster. The names that are italicized are prime candidates for the practice squad.
Look for the Panthers to potentially address linebacker and the cornerback positions on the waiver wire as the cuts grow this week.
Quarterback
Keep: Teddy Bridgewater, Will Grier, P.J. Walker (3)
The Panthers’ backup competition has been pretty back and forth, but due to the nature of the season and Panthers head coach Matt Rhule’s compliments for the room as whole, keeping all three quarterbacks is the right move. However, Rhule did say that they haven’t decided if they will keep two or three quarterbacks on the roster and that they will be watching through Friday to make a final call. If they do keep Grier and Walker, the backup job may be a week-to-week decision. Walker and Grier are different quarterbacks, and it’s been interesting to watch them both compete in practice. One note: Grier has certainly looked improved from last season.
Running back
Keep: Christian McCaffrey, Mike Davis, Alex Armah, Trenton Cannon (4)
Cut: Reggie Bonnafon
While Joe Brady’s offense doesn’t utilize a fullback, Rhule pointed to Armah as one of the players that has impressed the coaching staff with his versatility and desire to help anywhere. Cannon will earn a spot based on his ability to be a strong special teams contributor. Unfortunately, Bonnafon seems most likely to be on the wrong side of the numbers game.
Wide receivers
Keep: DJ Moore, Robby Anderson, Curtis Samuel, Pharoh Cooper, Seth Roberts, Keith Kirkwood, Brandon Zylstra (7)
Cut: Ishmael Hyman, Cam Phillips, Tommylee Lewis, Marken Michel
The Panthers have kept Kirkwood on the roster despite missing a few weeks due to a broken clavicle that required surgery. That shows a desire to have him on the roster for the season. Outside of that, it is a toss-up between Zylstra and Hyman. Both have been very involved and consistent throughout camp and made some good catches. Zylstra gets the edge, but Rhule has said they will keep six or seven receivers on the roster. Roberts has missed some time as well in the concussion protocol. The position might come down to a numbers game.
Tight ends
Keep: Ian Thomas, Chris Manhertz, Temarrick Hemingway (3)
Cut: Colin Thompson, Giovanni Ricci
Thomas and Manhertz are locks. The Panthers are working on expanding Manhertz’s role as a receiver, in addition to his work as a blocking tight end. It’s the third spot that gets tricky. Really, any of these three players could earn the final spot. The edge goes to Thompson who has been healthy throughout camp and has familiarity with Rhule from their time at Temple. It would not be a surprise if the Panthers add a new face at some point (as they tried to do with free agent Andrew Vollert before releasing him) to get a more experienced presence in the tight end room.
Offensive line
Keep: Russell Okung, John Miller, Matt Paradis, Dennis Daley, Taylor Moton, Greg Little, Michael Schofield, Chris Reed, Tyler Larsen (9)
Cut: Sam Tecklenburg, Mike Horton, Matt Kaskey, Branden Bowen, Aaron Monteiro
The priority, when considering which players will make the cut on the offensive line, is the ability to play numerous positions. Reed and Larsen both can pitch in at multiple spots. While Larsen has been dealing with a calf injury over the last week, his ability to fill in across the line is valuable. He was active for all 16 games last year as a backup.
The one player who also has a good chance of sneaking in? Tecklenburg. Rhule called him specifically to get him to join the team after he retired following his career at Baylor. At minimum, he is a practice squad candidate.
Defensive line
Keep: Yetur Gross Matos, Kawann Short, Derrick Brown, Brian Burns, Stephen Weatherly, Efe Obada, Zach Kerr, Bravvion Roy, Marquis Haynes (9)
Cut: Myles Adams, Jalen Jelks, Woodrow Hamilton, Austin Larkin, Bruce Hector
The Panthers will be using a rotation of players for their defensive line, so it won’t be a surprise if they keep additional players both on the active roster and on the practice squad. There is not a significant amount of uncertainty when it comes to which players will make the roster, however. Of the team’s position groups, the defensive line is relatively well-rounded.
Linebackers
Keep: Tahir Whitehead, Shaq Thompson, Adarius Taylor, Jordan Kunaszyk, Jermaine Carter (5)
Cut: Chris Orr, Sam Franklin, Julian Stanford
Unlike defensive line, the Panthers could use some help at linebacker. The team traded Andre Smith to the Bills on Monday and do not have a significant amount of depth behind Whitehead and Thompson. Rookie Jeremy Chinn will play a hybrid-type role, contributing at linebacker and defensive back, and the coaching staff has shown a lot of confidence in Taylor.
It would not be a surprise to see one of the undrafted players sneak in over Carter and the Panthers may continue to adjust their personnel.
Defensive backs
Keep: Eli Apple, Donte Jackson, Corn Elder, T.J. Green, Troy Pride Jr., Myles Hartsfield (RB as well), Tre Boston, Juston Burris, Chinn, Kenny Robinson (10)
Cut: Natrell Jamerson, Stantley Thomas-Oliver, Jameson Houston, Quin Blanding
Speaking of depth concerns, Carolina’s situation at cornerback is ... not great. The team has yet to settle on a corner to go opposite of Jackson with Pride Jr., Apple, Green and Elder all getting in on the competition. The Panthers should address it and try to add another veteran player to the position. Apple and Pride Jr. have had good moments, but Apple is coming off a hamstring injury and has been inconsistent throughout his career, while Pride Jr. is still learning.
On the other hand, it’s going to be hard to find a spot on the roster for seventh-round pick Thomas-Oliver. He has not looked good in camp.
Specialists
Keep: Joey Slye, Joseph Charlton, J.J. Jansen (3)
Cut: Kaare Vedvik
This was a tough call when it came to the punting job. If we’re being honest, Vedvik has had some better punts and handled the kicking and punting responsibilities in Friday’s practice. But Slye and Charlton have shown enough to earn the jobs. Slye only had one bad day at practice, and the team showed their faith in him when they released veteran Graham Gano before camp even started. Rhule has expressed confidence in Charlton.
Rhule indicated that they will not keep all three on the active roster. Whichever punter is not kept on the 53-man roster, the team is likely to try and stash them on the practice squad if possible.
This story was originally published September 1, 2020 at 6:30 AM.
