Previewing the Panthers offense as they take on the Patriots in week one of the preseason.
The Carolina Panthers will take another step towards the regular season as they have a match-up with the New England Patriots during the first week of the preseason. While there won’t be much in terms of scouting the other team, there are still plenty of interesting players in a Panthers jersey worth previewing prior to kickoff.
After the Panthers announced their first depth chart of 2024, let’s take a look at where each position on the Panthers offense stands before the team sees it’s first live game action since January:
Quarterbacks
Whether or not second year quarterback Bryce Young will get some reps versus the Patriots is still undecided, according to recent comments from Head Coach Dave Canales. With primary back-up Andy Dalton sidelined with an injury that means that there could be a heavy dose of undrafted free agent rookie Jack Plummer who has been with the team since Rookie Minicamp. Backing up Plummer and likely receiving some reps in the second half would be Jake Luton, who joined the team Monday but did have a couple practice squad stints with the Panthers last year.
Running Backs
If the Panthers decide to play some starters in the first preseason game, expect Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders to appear in a series or two before giving way to a heavy rotation of running backs. Third string back Raheem Blackshear should get a chance at the NFL’s new kickoff style, but should also see a few opportunities on offense as he tries to prove he deserves a place on the final roster behind Hubbard, Sanders, and rehabbing rookie Jonathon Brooks. The Panthers will have veteran running back Mike Boone trying to establish himself with a couple of undrafted free agent rookies, Jaden Shirden and Dillon Johnson, rounding out the rotation as Canales tries to establish the running game.
Tight Ends
With projected starting tight ends Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas both sidelined with minor injuries, the door is wide open for rookie fourth round pick Ja’Tavion Sanders to get the start. After Sanders, veteran wide receiver turned tight end Jordan Matthews is fighting to make the roster or grab a practice squad spot, while quarterback turned tight end Felipe Franks will make an appearance after only being on the roster for a couple of weeks. Newly signed veterans Jacob Hollister and Jesper Horsted may also expect to see some playing time as the Panthers coaching staff try and bring them up to speed on the playbook.
Wide Receivers
While it may be the position on offense with the most competition, the top dogs on the team likely won’t make much of an appearance. Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen are veterans whose status on the team is solidified and don’t need to see the field in the preseason, especially if Young doesn’t play and Plummer takes the start. Canales already stated that rookie receiver Xavier Legette is not getting a jersey for Thursday’s matchup, so two former second round picks in Jonathan Mingo and Terrace Marshall Jr will expect to see some reps early in the contest as the Panthers try and get a feel for the receiver rotation beyond the veteran duo.
Returning playmaker Ihmir Smith-Marsette will look to make a mark as a receiver or even return man, while veteran receivers Michael Strachan and David Moore compete to prove their presence is worth keeping around. Undrafted free agent rookie and Steve Smith favorite Jalen Coker will have a chance to justify the hype created by the former Panthers legend. Recent addition speedster Devan Thompkins, having spent last year with Canales in Tampa Bay, can also make things interesting as the Panthers flesh out what may be their deepest receiving room of the last few years.
Offensive Line
The starting five on the offensive line of Ikem Ekwonu, Damien Lewis, Austin Corbett, Robert Hunt and Taylor Moton may put on jerseys but don’t expect them to play much beyond the first series, if at all. The most interesting storyline from the back-ups will be who gets the nod at center after Corbett between Cade Mayes or undrafted rookie Andrew Raym. Brady Christensen may also see some work at center, but likely lines up as a guard with second year hog molly Chandler Zavala on the other side. The back-up tackle competition will feature Ricky Lee, Badara Traore and Jeremiah Crawford trying to protect the quarterback and opening up running lanes late in the game. J.D. DiRenzo and Nash Jensen will finish out the interior offensive line rotation as the undrafted free agents from 2023 who saw some limited action for the Panthers compete for back-up roles.