With a little over an hour to spare, the Carolina Panthers made the final moves to trim their roster down to 53 players. The most notable transaction in Tuesday’s second, and final, wave of cuts was veteran receiver Hunter Renfrow being released. The wide receiver room was crowded and a focal point throughout training camp. Here’s a look at how the roster shakes out…at least for now.
Quarterbacks:Â Bryce Young, Andy Dalton
No surprises here with Bryce Young poised to build on the late season success of his second year. Dalton remains a viable backup and the Panthers could possibly look to add Jack Plummer or Bryce Perkins to the practice squad if they clear waivers. Plummer spent his rookie season with the Panthers and was promoted to the active roster at the end of December.
Wide Receivers:Â Xavier Legette, Tetairoa McMillan, Adam Thielen, Jalen Coker, David Moore, Jimmy Horn, Jr., Brycen Tremayne
Hunter Renfrow returned to football after taking a year off as he battled ulcerative colitis. A South Carolina native, the former Clemson product wanted to play for the home team and put together a strong camp but the room is just too crowded. In our opinion, it came down to special teams. Even with David Moore having experience in Dave Canales’ system and Brycen Tremayne expected to be a heavy contributor on special teams, the decision to cut Renfrow was a tough one. Being a vested veteran, he does not have to clear waivers and can be brought back to the practice squad – something to keep an eye on as Adam Thielen trade talks persist.
Running Backs:Â Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle, Trevor Etienne
With Hubbard and Dowdle both coming off 1,000-yard seasons, it came down to special teams once again for vet Raheem Blackshear and rookie draft pick Trevor Etienne. Blackshear spent all three seasons of his NFL career in Carolina after being signed from the Bills practice squad. He’d made his mark on special teams, handling the bulk of kick return responsibilities but fourth-rounder Etienne figures to take over that role.
Offensive Line:Â Taylor Moton, Rob Hunt, Ikem Ekwonu, Austin Corbett, Damien Lewis, Chandler Zavala, Brady Cristensen, Cade Mays, Yosh Nijman
For the first time in a while, there’s stability in the offensive trenches. The Panthers returned all five starters and four reserves. That’s it, that’s all.
Tight Ends:Â Ja’Tavion Sanders, Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, James Mitchell
Sanders will look to build on a promising rookie campaign and fifth-round pick Mitchell Evans and vet James Mitchell – who had a strong camp – add depth at the position as Tremble works his way back into playing speed after being cleared from back surgery.
Now on to the defense. After a historically bad showing last season, it was clear that upgrades were needed at every level as defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero enters the final year of his three-year contract. Saddled with injuries and investments focused on the offense last offseason, Carolina placed a premium on shoring up the defensive side of the ball.
Defensive Line:Â Derrick Brown, A’Shawn Robinson, Tershawn Wharton, Bobby Brown III, Cam Jackson, Jaden Crumedy
Having Derrick Brown back is MAJOR. Carolina added a couple of vet free agents in Brown III and Wharton and drafted Cam Jackson out of Florida in the fifth round. Crumedy, selected in the sixth round of the 2024 draft adds depth. A notable exit from the group is Shy Tuttle who spent the last two seasons with the Panthers after signing a 3-year deal in 2023.
Outside Linebackers:Â Patrick Jones II, DJ Wonnum, Nic Scourton, Princely Umanmielen, Thomas Incoom, DJ Johnson
The EDGE group is a mixture of youth and experience. Veteran Jones II joins Wonnum, his former teammate in Minnesota, and Johnson. Carolina was able to double-dip at the position back in April and drafted Scourton and Umanmielen in the second and third rounds, respectively. Incoom, a contributor on special teams, rounds out the group.
Interior Linebackers:Â Trevin Wallace, Christian Rozeboom, Claudin Cherelus, Bam Martin-Scott
This group has the most question marks. The unexpected departure of Josey Jewell, coupled with the decision to move on from vet Shaq Thompson earlier in the offseason, only Wallace and Cherelus remain from last season’s roster. Veteran Rozeboom is expected to take the leadership role while the team hopes to develop Martin-Scott, an undrafted rookie. Look for the team to try to make moves to shore up this group in the coming days.
Safety:Â Tre’Von Moehrig, Demani Richardson, Lathan Ransom, Nick Scott
This is another group that could change as the Panthers spent the offseason in the market for a veteran option. The addition of Moehrig, a hard hitting safety that’s comfortable playing in the box, and the selection of rookie Lathan Ransom give the group promise. Richardson showed flashes as a rookie and should have a bigger role this season.
Cornerbacks:Â Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson, Chau Smith-Wade, Corey Thornton, Akayleb Evans
Carolina locked down one of its cornerstones in Horn and brought back Jackson; a solid starting duo. Smith-Wade looks to build on a strong rookie showing and undrafted rookie Thornton had a very solid camp with quality reps after first-round receiver McMillan. Evans’ work on special teams gave him the nod over other prospects.
Special Teams:Â Ryan Fitzgerald, Sam Martin, JJ Jansen
There was a kicking competition in Carolina for the second season in a row and the rookie came away with the job – at least for now. Jansen is well, Jansen.
These are your Carolina Panthers – until further notice.
