Projecting this season’s roles for Xavier Legette-led Panthers 2024 draft class
The Carolina Panthers, even after an offseason of notable roster moves, will depend heavily on their 2024 draft class during the group’s second year in Charlotte.
Heading into Year 2, wideout Xavier Legette, linebacker Trevin Wallace and the rest of the group will need to take steps in the right direction to help the Panthers contend. That’s not a big ask, as most NFL players are expected to make considerable strides with a year of experience.
With organized team activities (OTAs) ongoing and mandatory minicamp around the corner, The Observer decided to take a look at the class and project their roles heading into training camp:
Xavier Legette
Role: Starting wide receiver
Legette was the poster child for the highs and lows of the draft class in 2024. He jumped onto the scene with an explosion of targets and touchdowns during the first month or so of the season, even as the QB depth chart remained in flux. But his production waned in the second half, as drops and injuries highlighted his proverbial rookie wall.
Legette underwent foot surgery this offseason and according to wide receivers coach Rob Moore, he looks much more fluid and comfortable on the field. And while the team spent the eighth overall pick on fellow wideout, Tetairoa McMillan, in April, Legette is still expected to be in the starting lineup this summer.
Legette and McMillan, the team’s two most recent first-round picks, are likely to work on the outside of the formation in two-receiver sets. When Adam Thielen enters the lineup in three-receiver sets, look for head coach Dave Canales to be a bit more creative with their movement.
While some onlookers have soured on Legette following his poor second half of last year, the South Carolina alum will be given every opportunity to make the most of his draft pedigree in training camp and the preseason heading into Year 2.
Jonathon Brooks
Role: Rehabilitation on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list
Brooks’ second NFL season was deemed to be over before it even started.
The 2024 second-round pick was placed on the PUP list in May after he underwent offseason ACL surgery for a second consecutive year. He will now spend the entire 2025 season looking to make a productive comeback in 2026.
Brooks played in just three games as a rookie before he re-tore his right ACL in a game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The former Texas standout will be given all the time he needs to recover this year with the hope that he can eventually rejoin the lineup next season.
Trevin Wallace
Role: Starting inside linebacker
Wallace got off to a bit of a slow start during his rookie year. With Shaq Thompson in front of him on the depth chart, Wallace didn’t start see regular playing time until Week 4 when the veteran was placed on season-ending injured reserve. He went on to start eight games and perform admirably as a first-team player before sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury.
Entering Year 2, Wallace is clearly in position to be a full-time starter. He is expected to line up next to returning veteran Josey Jewell in the team’s base defense. While free-agent addition Christian Rozeboom is expected to push Wallace during training camp, the 2024 third-round pick should be given the edge in the competition.
Look for Wallace to be a base-package starter at inside linebacker. He could also serve as a primary linebacker in nickel packages, depending on the situation.
Ja’Tavion Sanders
Role: Starting tight end
Sanders had about as productive of a rookie year as one could expect from a fourth-round pick last season. The former Texas playmaker set a Carolina rookie record with 342 yards at the position. With injuries piling up at the position, Sanders was able to take advantage of his extra playing time, even as he was trying to figure things out as a blocker.
It’ll be interesting to see how the Panthers use Sanders in Year 2, as the team did just re-sign Tommy Tremble to a two-year, $10.5 million deal in the offseason. The Panthers love Tremble’s blocking ability, but he’s never been as productive as a pass-catcher as Sanders was last season, and he just underwent offseason back surgery.
Some would argue the presences of McMillan, Thielen and Legette would favor Tremble, who is the more versatile of the two returning tight ends. However, Sanders provides an additional dynamic weapon for QB Bryce Young to target in the passing game. He’s also not coming off a recent procedure.
At the least, Tremble and Sanders will be featured as starters in 12 personnel — which includes one running back, two tight ends and two wideouts. At best, Sanders will take a massive leap forward as a blocker and leapfrog Tremble in the lineup regularly.
Chau Smith-Wade
Role: Competing for starting nickel cornerback job
Smith-Wade was forced to be patient as a rookie. The fifth-round pick was learning the nickel position for the first time, and he rarely played during the first half of the 2024 season. However, following a litany of injuries and poor play in the secondary, Smith-Wade was promoted to the starting nickel job, and he had some strong moments in coverage.
Entering Year 2, Smith-Wade is the favorite to start at the nickel spot, especially on passing downs. While the Panthers could look to be creative with the position — perhaps using a safety there, for instance — Smith-Wade will be given the opportunity to show his growth as a run defender. He will probably compete with the likes of Lathan Ransom (this year’s fourth-round pick in the secondary), Nick Scott and others for the top spot.
Smith-Wade has had a strong spring, according to Canales. He has produced highlight plays in both open OTA sessions.
Jaden Crumedy
Role: Competing for spot in defensive line rotation
Crumedy was an afterthought throughout for most of his rookie year. He spent most of the campaign on injured reserve, and he only received limited playing time down the stretch.
As he prepares for his second season, Crumedy returns to a room with some notable reinforcements. The team signed Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown in free agency, and Cam Jackson was selected in the fifth round of April’s draft. Pro Bowl defensive lineman Derrick Brown is also set to return from last year’s season-long Achilles injury.
So, playing time and open roster spots will be limited along the defensive line in 2025. Crumedy will need to best former starting nose tackle Shy Tuttle to retain his job this summer with so many talented players in front of him.
Jalen Coker
Role: Depth wide receiver
Coker, a popular undrafted rookie, made the most of his playing time during the second half of last season. He arguably outplayed the rest of his wideout peers in Carolina during the final eight games. His season stat line of 32 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns was impressive, especially when you consider that he didn’t receive a target until Week 4.
As Coker looks to take another step forward, he will face a bit of a logjam at the position. McMillan and Legette are going to get every chance they can to own the top of the depth chart as first-round picks. The Panthers also gave Thielen a raise to keep him heavily involved in the offense. So, Coker could end up being the fourth wideout to begin the summer.
Despite the recency bias, that’s a considerably better outlook than he had last year. With the wideout room finally having some notable depth, Coker will be expected to fill a role. He projects as the long-term replacement for Thielen, but as long as the veteran is here and healthy, there’s a bit of a logjam.
Demani Richardson
Role: Competing for a starting safety spot
Despite an impressive training camp performance, Richardson spent the first three weeks of his rookie season on the practice squad. But with poor play and injuries piling up in the secondary, Richardson was eventually promoted to the main roster. He soon found himself as a starter down the stretch, as the Panthers basically ran out of options.
Entering Year 2, Richardson, like Coker, has a much better outlook for playing time. The safety depth chart is notably light on proven talent, and Richardson offers a complementary skill set to free-agent prize, Tre’von Moehrig.
Look for Richardson to get the opportunity to compete for a starting job opposite Moehrig this summer. As of now, his only competition is Ransom, Scott and a trio of undrafted safeties. The Panthers are likely to add a veteran to this bunch, but for now, Richardson seems to have a significant leg up.
That projection might change if the Panthers bring in a veteran DB during training camp.
Jarrett Kingston
Role: Competing for backup guard job
The Panthers claimed Kingston, a 2024 sixth-round pick, off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers following the cutdown deadline last summer.
He spent the first half of the season learning the offense, as the starting line stayed mostly static, outside of center. But, down the stretch, he filled out a deep reserve role with special teams duties. He appeared in seven games, all as a reserve lineman, last year.
Kingston will experience his first summer in Carolina this year. He will need to one-up the likes of Michael Tarquin, Ja’Tyre Carter, Luke Kandra, Brandon Walton and Steven Losoya to hold onto his 53-man roster spot.
Shemar Bartholomew
Role: Competing for a backup cornerback job
Like Kingston, Bartholomew was claimed off waivers by the Panthers ahead of Week 1. The former New York Jets defensive back was mostly used on special teams during his rookie year. He appeared in five games and only played 17 snaps on defense.
Bartholomew will need to compete to retain a job on the 53-man roster this offseason. Luckily for him, the team didn’t invest a draft pick in his position. The former undrafted free agent will compete with the likes of MJ Devonshire, Akayleb Evans, Corey Thornton, JaTravis Broughton and Michael Reid for a depth role.
If Bartholomew can take advantage of his extra time with the playbook, he should be able to handle trio of undrafted rookies and Devonshire at the position. Evans, as of now, is probably the favorite for the fourth cornerback spot.
This story was originally published June 4, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
