As Carolina Panthers continue OTAs, here are three key position battles to watch
The Panthers are six organized team activity practices into the final phase of their voluntary offseason program, which concludes June 16 after three mandatory minicamp practices.
Two of the three practices have been open to reporters. The intensity is starting to pick up as summer unfolds on the practice fields behind Bank of America Stadium.
Coach speak about bringing players along slowly rings loud from an NFL facility this time of year, but practice is anything but gradual. Panthers players are competing with each other for valuable roster spots and eventually depth chart hierarchy from now until training camp concludes in late August.
Coming off a second consecutive five-win season, Carolina could have as many as 11 new starters this year. Much of the reshaping took place in the trenches. For example, general manager Scott Fitterer signed free agents Austin Corbett and Bradly Bozeman and drafted rookie tackle Ikem Ekwonu, all with the expectation to start. By adding new starters, Carolina suddenly became deeper in areas it used to be thin.
Despite the influx of fresh talent, there are still lingering questions at quarterback, No. 3 receiver and offensive line. Let’s dive into them.
Quarterback hierarchy
The Panthers quarterback room is set for now. Sam Darnold, Matt Corral, PJ Walker and undrafted free agent Davis Cheek are all competing. Darnold has dominated the early OTA reps, leading drills and competitive seven-on-seven sessions.
Though Carolina traded a 2023 third-round pick to move up for Corral, the former Ole Miss gunslinger is not taking backup reps after Darnold. Those snaps belong to Walker, who is 2-0 as a NFL starter. On Tuesday, Corral was not at Panthers’ practice. Coach Matt Rhule said Corral was dealing with a family emergency and was excused.
Darnold has experience on his side compared to the other Carolina quarterbacks. He started 11 games last season, compared to Walker’s lone start. And Corral comes from an RPO-heavy Ole Miss system that carried very little NFL verbiage. All three are learning a new offensive system, under new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo.
There is a chance Corral is the No. 3 quarterback come Week 1 of the regular season, Meaning he could be inactive. It’s far too early to tell how likely that is, but he needs to surpass Walker on the depth chart before challenging Darnold.
Regardless, Carolina does not intend on rushing its rookie quarterback.
“We’re gonna start Matt (Corral) from the ground up. From taking a snap, the way we want him to take a snap, to taking his first step, to his drops, (recognizing) coverages, all those different things,” Rhule said after the draft. “This is about us building a base and a fundamental structure. Getting in the huddle, getting out of the huddle, play-call structure, and understanding defense, everything. It’s making sure that we just start teaching him our way of doing it. And I know Ben (McAdoo) and Sean (Ryan) are on that.”
Carolina’s quarterback hierarchy would drastically change if Fitterer decided to acquire either Baker Mayfield or Jimmy Garoppolo.
Playing behind DJ Moore and Robbie Anderson
Carolina has two clear-cut receivers in D.J. Moore and Robbie Anderson. A healthy Christian McCaffrey will also dominate targets in McAdoo’s offense. But the Panthers will deploy plenty of 11 personnel (one running back, one tight end and three wide receivers), making the No. 3 receiver a battle worth watching.
Second-year player Terrace Marshall Jr. should be the early favorite to play beside Moore and Anderson. Carolina selected the former LSU receiver No. 59 overall in 2021 with those exact hopes. The Panthers also signed veteran receiver Rashard Higgins this offseason. Higgins, a Colorado State product, played all six years of his pro career in Cleveland, where he appeared in 82 games and totaled 137 catches for 1,890 yards and 12 touchdowns. He posted career highs in yards (599) and touchdowns (four) in 2020.
With Anderson absent again from OTAs, Higgins and Marshall are lining up next to Moore and catching passes from Darnold and Walker. Higgins looks like a crisp six-year veteran. Marshall keeps playing soundly and shows flashes of the athletic gifts that made him a top-60 selection.
“He’s a versatile wideout. He’s big. He can catch. He’s smart,” Rhule said of Higgins. “We liked him on tape. Anytime you can bring a veteran in with that level of experience to come in and compete for a spot on the roster you do it.”
Higgins does not contribute on special teams, which will hurt his chances of making the final 53-man roster. But if he is able to produce as the No. 3 receiver through the summer and training camp then he has a chance to play a key role.
Depth on the offensive line
Talking projected starting lineups in June can be tricky. But Carolina’s reshaped offensive line is already looking (on paper) to be one of the most improved units in football.
Two spots are locks. Taylor Moton will start at right tackle and Corbett next to him at right guard. The left side of the line and center so far are unknowns. Ideally, Ekwonu plugs in immediately at left tackle while Bozeman and Pat Elflein compete for center reps. Which leaves left guard open for Brady Christensen.
But there is depth behind the Panthers projected starting five eager to prove itself. Cam Erving has been away from OTAs but is expected back with the team for mandatory minicamp. He’s best as a swing tackle, a rotational piece who can be plugged in at a moment’s notice.
The team is high on fourth-year guard Michael Jordan. He should challenge for an interior spot. Rookie Cade Mays keeps earning praise as a five-position option with impressive knowledge and flexibility. Carolina also spent a 2021 sixth-round pick on Deonte Brown. At 6-4 and 335 pounds, Brown is one of the largest linemen on the team.
One NFC scout told The Observer that if Brown comes into training camp in great shape and the right state of mind, then he should challenge for a starting guard spot.
“Deonte has a ways to go still. He’s a young player with a lot of talent. He’s got to make sure that he shows up to (training camp) in great shape. He’s got power. He’s got balance. He’s got athleticism. He’s someone that we’re counting on,” Rhule said. “The next three months are gonna be really pivotal for him.”
Rhule could have said that about the majority of the Panthers roster. As summer rolls on, these next three months are pivotal for Carolina players fighting for roster spots at several key positions.
