Panthers training camp: Corral, Shenault among returning players competing on roster bubble

The Panthers retooled their coaching staff and roster this offseason following the end of the Matt Rhule era. With all the moving and shaking, the drastic changes have left some of the holdover talent in awkward spots heading into next week’s training camp.

When the Panthers arrive at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., for their annual training camp, several returning players will be competing for roles and the opportunity to stick on the 53-man roster. The Panthers were busy this offseason, and they have theoretically upgraded several spots on the roster, which in turn, should make it even harder for the Rhule-era talent to stick around.

However, as with any training camp, surprises and injuries happen all the time. Some holdovers could thrive under the new staff’s guidance, while others could be given a major opportunity due to a rash of injuries. That’s why the tenured Panthers on the roster — namely the ones of the roster bubble — need to put their best foot forward from the first whistle of camp until the final horn of the preseason slate.

Below are 12 returning Panthers players who enter training camp on the roster bubble:

QB Matt Corral

Barring a major injury, Corral won’t earn a job better than No. 3 on the quarterback depth chart in Carolina. But the 2022 third-round pick has the ability to improve his long-term outlook with a strong summer at Wofford.

Corral should get a heavy share of the preseason snaps, so he could try to force a team to trade for him if a squad is looking to improve at backup quarterback. Either way, a good training camp could go a long way for the Ole Miss alum.

With the new emergency quarterback rule in place, Corral is more likely to make the roster than not, but he still needs to show the Panthers’ new staff that he’s worth keeping over a potential waiver-claim swap at the position.

RB Spencer Brown

The Panthers have three running backs — Miles Sanders, Chuba Hubbard and Raheem Blackshear — who can be used in multiple ways. But the trio doesn’t have a true short-yardage ballcarrier in the backfield. That outlook gives Brown an opportunity to earn a job.

If Brown can make the most of his carries in training camp and preseason, he could force the Panthers to keep four running backs this season.

WR Laviska Shenault

Shenault is the type of versatile weapon who could excel in a gadget role for Panthers head coach Frank Reich. The former Jacksonville Jaguar has worked for seven NFL head coaches entering his fourth training camp, and Reich might be the one to finally unlock his versatility at the top level.

Shenault needs to show that he can handle his own package within the offense. If he shows improved route running from last season, he should earn a job and an upgraded role.

Like Corral, Shenault is on the better end of the bubble. He simply needs to perform well in camp to make the roster.

WR Shi Smith

Smith’s status on the depth chart took a massive dive this offseason. The team brought in Adam Thielen, DJ Chark, Damiere Byrd, Marquez Stevenson and second-pick Jonathan Mingo ahead of the offseason program, and Smith took a backseat to most of that new group — along with holdover Terrace Marshall — during OTAs.

Smith has the opportunity to earn a deep depth role through the punt-return opening. Still, the South Carolina alum looks like he is on the outside of the wideout competition entering camp.

TE Giovanni Ricci

Ricci is a versatile player who could be of use to a creative offense. While he’s a bit of a tweener at tight end, his fullback background adds some flavor to an otherwise predictable group.

Ricci is also a special teams contributor and that upside should help him in his quest to stick around. He’s behind Hayden Hurst, Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble entering camp.

G Michael Jordan

The veteran guard re-signed with the Panthers just before OTAs in May. As a utility lineman, his experience under offensive line coach James Campen will be helpful this summer.

The Panthers could keep Jordan around this season, but his outlook for earning a roster spot is up in the air because of the arrival of Justin McCray, who is a longtime Campen pupil.

NT Bravvion Roy

Roy, listed at 6-foot-1 and 330 pounds, is an undersized defensive lineman in any front. But with the Panthers moving to an odd front, Roy is really at a disadvantage from a size perspective.

The Rhule holdover will need to show he can overcome his size issues with strength and intelligence during the summer. He’s a solid depth player, but he might not be a scheme fit.

LB Brandon Smith

Last year’s fourth-round pick needs to stand out in camp to earn a role on defense. With Shaq Thompson and Frankie Luvu starting ahead of him, Smith should be in competition for the third inside linebacker job with Kamu Grugier-Hill.

Smith is extremely athletic, but he’s battling against Grugier-Hill, who is a special teams dynamo and has plenty of starting experience at linebacker. Smith has upside, but he needs to show some production to be involved in the thick of the defense.

LB Chandler Wooten

Wooten, like Smith, needs to prove himself in his second NFL summer. The young linebacker has some versatility to his game, and that trait could help him earn a role in the new defense.

If Wooten can show he can play multiple spots, he could be a part-time player this season. He also needs to thrive on special teams to stick to the 53-man roster instead of wallowing away on the practice squad.

OLB Amare Barno

Barno, a 2022 sixth-round pick, is an athletic freak. While he has plenty of upside, his prospects at outside linebacker are somewhat murky.

Barno is clearly behind Brian Burns, Marquis Haynes, Yetur Gross-Matos and D.J. Johnson at the position. He needs to have a strong summer to carve out a role in the rotation.

Barno’s speed and size should help him stand out on special teams, but will that be enough to secure him a roster spot?

CB Keith Taylor

The Panthers desperately need cornerback depth. With Taylor coming off an up-and-down second season, he is in position to right some wrongs under a new staff.

Competing against the likes of Stantley Thomas-Oliver, Rejzohn Wright, Colby Richardson, Mark Milton and Herb Miller, Taylor has an opportunity to stick out from the group. He should get plenty of playing time during the preseason.

CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver

Thomas-Oliver is known for his special teams prowess. However, during the offseason program, the young cornerback was praised for his versatility in the secondary. With the Panthers in search of cornerback depth this summer, Thomas-Oliver’s special teams chops and fluidity in the secondary could land him a major depth role this season.

After missing most of last season due to injury, Thomas-Oliver seems to be in a good place entering training camp. He will need to carry over his performance in the spring to the summer workouts.

This story was originally published July 17, 2023 at 6:00 AM.

Mike Kaye

The Charlotte Observer

Mike Kaye writes about the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer. He also co-hosts “Processing Blue: A Panthers Podcast” for The Observer. Kaye’s work in columns/analysis and sports feature writing has been honored by the North Carolina Press Association (NCPA). His reporting has also received recognition from the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).Kaye previously covered the entire NFL for Pro Football Network, the Philadelphia Eagles for NJ Advance Media and the Jacksonville Jaguars for First Coast News. Support my work with a digital subscription