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Mike Kaye's depth chart

Jackie Lee

By Jackie Lee,
in Carolina Panthers

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Jackie Lee Grand Master

Jackie Lee

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Edge-

The starters: D.J. Wonnum, D.J. Johnson

The backups: K’Lavon Chaisson, Eku Leota, Amare Barno, Luiji Vilain

This group is rough. The Panthers traded away two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Brian Burns at the start of free agency, and Yetur Gross-Matos exited shortly after that swap, leaving the position group looking as grim as it gets. The Panthers signed Wonnum and Chaisson to ease the pain, but the need at the position is still quite glaring. The Panthers hosted Jadeveon Clowney on a visit earlier this month, but he is taking his time during his annual stroll around the market. Signing Clowney would greatly improve the unit’s outlook. Johnson, last year’s third-round pick, had a forgettable rookie year. If he wasn’t a third-round pick, it’d be easy to put him in the category of players on the outside looking in for roster spots. That said, given his pedigree, he should get every chance to shine this offseason. Still, look for the Panthers to have a plan in the draft to upgrade over him in the lineup. Leota, Barno and Vilain were all here last year, but none of them have been particularly successful in the pass rush department.

Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article286965970.html#storylink=cpy

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MHS831 Grand Master

MHS831

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1 hour ago, Jackie Lee said:

Edge-

The starters: D.J. Wonnum, D.J. Johnson

The backups: K’Lavon Chaisson, Eku Leota, Amare Barno, Luiji Vilain

This group is rough. The Panthers traded away two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher Brian Burns at the start of free agency, and Yetur Gross-Matos exited shortly after that swap, leaving the position group looking as grim as it gets. The Panthers signed Wonnum and Chaisson to ease the pain, but the need at the position is still quite glaring. The Panthers hosted Jadeveon Clowney on a visit earlier this month, but he is taking his time during his annual stroll around the market. Signing Clowney would greatly improve the unit’s outlook. Johnson, last year’s third-round pick, had a forgettable rookie year. If he wasn’t a third-round pick, it’d be easy to put him in the category of players on the outside looking in for roster spots. That said, given his pedigree, he should get every chance to shine this offseason. Still, look for the Panthers to have a plan in the draft to upgrade over him in the lineup. Leota, Barno and Vilain were all here last year, but none of them have been particularly successful in the pass rush department.

Read more at: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article286965970.html#storylink=cpy

I already disagree.  DJ Johnson will be fighting for a roster spot.  Barno showed more last season

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Jackie Lee Grand Master

Jackie Lee

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3 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

I already disagree.  DJ Johnson will be fighting for a roster spot.  Barno showed more last season

Yeah, I think it's more of a formality since they traded up for him in the 3rd. But I agree the new coach said he has no emotional connection to any of the players and Evero doesn't strike me as the type that's going to play a guy just because he was drafted hire than a better player

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MHS831 Grand Master

MHS831

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5 minutes ago, Jackie Lee said:

Yeah, I think it's more of a formality since they traded up for him in the 3rd. But I agree the new coach said he has no emotional connection to any of the players and Evero doesn't strike me as the type that's going to play a guy just because he was drafted hire than a better player

I think he knows that other OLB spot is yet to be filled. 

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Sniffrey Apprentice

Sniffrey

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If the Panthers draft at least one EDGE player, or resign Marquis Haynes, or find one really good UDFA that fell through the cracks D.J. Johnson doesn't make the 53 man roster.

A. he sucks and 2. he'd save $500k in cap space to get him off the roster.

 

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Dave Gettleman's Shorts Veteran

Dave Gettleman's Shorts

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1 hour ago, Jackie Lee said:

Yeah, I think it's more of a formality since they traded up for him in the 3rd. But I agree the new coach said he has no emotional connection to any of the players and Evero doesn't strike me as the type that's going to play a guy just because he was drafted hire than a better player

fitt was one that made the dumb trade up but wasn't it Evero that wanted Dj Johnson? 

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Jackie Lee Grand Master

Jackie Lee

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10 minutes ago, Sniffrey said:

If the Panthers draft at least one EDGE player, or resign Marquis Haynes, or find one really good UDFA that fell through the cracks D.J. Johnson doesn't make the 53 man roster.

A. he sucks and 2. he'd save $500k in cap space to get him off the roster.

 

That would make the CMC trade even more brutal. Imagine if Bryce and DJ aren't even on the roster in a year lol. That's all we got with those draft picks from the trade

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Jackie Lee Grand Master

Jackie Lee

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1 minute ago, Dave Gettleman's Shorts said:

fitt was one that made the dumb trade up but wasn't it Evero that wanted Dj Johnson? 

Who knows if Evero had him rated that high, I think Fitt just got nervous because edge guys were flying off the board, I personally wanted Byron Young who went to the Rams 3 picks before I think

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Jackie Lee Grand Master

Jackie Lee

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52 minutes ago, mc52beast said:

Not to worried about the pass rush this year. Just like last year we will be losing most of the time so offenses will concentrate on running the ball. At least we won’t get gashed up the middle anymore.

The vision is not really making sense at the moment. Canales wants to run the ball and dink and dunk to take the pressure of Bryce, but the defense is going to be giving up so many points he's gonna have to sling it. I'd rather that happen and see if he can do it so they can make a decision on whether he's the guy or not by mid season. Not expecting many wins with this current formula but at least they haven't made any dumb trades yet

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CPF4LIFE Grand Master

CPF4LIFE

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23 minutes ago, Jackie Lee said:

The vision is not really making sense at the moment. Canales wants to run the ball and dink and dunk to take the pressure of Bryce, but the defense is going to be giving up so many points he's gonna have to sling it. I'd rather that happen and see if he can do it so they can make a decision on whether he's the guy or not by mid season. Not expecting many wins with this current formula but at least they haven't made any dumb trades yet

We are gonna have to ride this thing a little longer til its painfully clear Bryce isnt the answer.

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    • TheSpecialJuan
      Explicating the Panthers' Defensiveness

      By TheSpecialJuan · Posted

      I can't wait to go through this analysis 
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      Panthers Sign QB Will Grier

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    • MHS831
      Explicating the Panthers' Defensiveness

      By MHS831 · Posted

      It is time to take a look at the defense.  Without further ado do.... Edge (OLB):  I think we overpaid for Jaelan Phillips, but he is constant pressure with 73 pressures in 2025, ranking 9th in the NFL.  In all, he was the 20th (of 111) rated pass rushing edge in 2025 according to PFF, putting him in the top 20% in the nfl.  With a pair of solid ILBs beside him and if we can get Wharton going, I think the sum of the parts will make him better than he was in Philly.  Furthermore, with second-year pro Princely Umanmielen behind him, I expect him to grow with the tutoring and competition. On the other side, the duo of Nick Scourton and Patrick Jones II is strong, in my view.  Scourton generated 34 total pressures as a pass rusher. That total included 8 sacks, 23 hurries, 3 hits. Against the run, he recorded 28 solo tackles. For a rookie, second round, edge, that is great.  He also forced 1 fumble on the season. Jones was decent in 2025 in just 131 snaps, but he is solid veteran depth.   We seem to lack the elite pass rusher, but this rotational unit will be a big upgrade over last season.  Expect Scourton and Princely to show improvement. While it is unlikely that we add more to edge this draft, you can never have too many pass rushers (well, you can--two sophomores and two veterans is a good mix). Would the Panthers take an edge if one was sitting there? Absolutely. Defensive End:  Derrick Brown is a stud.  I did not notice how dominant he became as a pass rusher.  His PFF pass-rush grade of 72.0 ranked 23rd among 134 qualified interior defensive linemans. His run-defense grade of 66.3 ranked 22nd at the position. He generated 35 total pressures as a pass rusher. That total included 6 sacks, 23 hurries, 6 hits. On the other side:  What the hell?  Tershawn Wharton earned a 40.8 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 127th among 134 qualified interior defensive linemans. His PFF pass-rush grade of 57.0 ranked 95th among 134 qualified interior defensive linemen. His run-defense grade of 34.8 ranked 125th at the position. However, Wharton needs to be situational and we really need a few DEs who can plug and pressure.  LaBryan Ray is an interior defensive lineman for the Carolina Panthers who earned a 45.7 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season.  You cannot tell me that we are not going to add a DE.  In my view, this is a HUGE need that we have not adequately addressed.  There were only 3 DEs in the NFL who played more snaps that Derrick Brown.  We have to give him more blows during the game.  So After Brown, we have 2 other players who need to improve a lot to reach mediocre. Nose Tackle:  Of course, a NT might move out some to help stuff the run at DE opposite Brown, and stats do not always reflect on a NT's actual value.  Bobby Brown III earned a 54.1 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 80th among 134 qualified interior defensive linemen.  His PFF pass-rush grade of 51.1 ranked 126th among 134 qualified interior defensive linemans. His run-defense grade of 57.8 ranked 51st at the position.   Behind him, Cam'Ron Jackson is an  earned a 45.5 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season.   The defensive line is weak, based on 2025 performance rankings in PFF.  After DBrown, they pretty much suck.  These are the guys our ILBs will be counting on. Inside Linebacker:  Devin Lloyd earned a 89.1 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 3rd among 88 qualified linebackers. His PFF coverage grade of 81.1 ranked 3rd among 88 qualified linebackers. His run-defense grade of 83.2 ranked 11th at the position. His pass-rush grade of 82.2 ranked 5th among qualified linebackers.  He's good.  At the moment, beside him is Trevin Wallace  who earned a 55.9 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 57th among 88 qualified linebackers. His PFF coverage grade of 64.5 ranked 25th among 88 qualified linebackers. His run-defense grade of 42.3 ranked 85th at the position. His pass-rush grade of 64.2 ranked 45th among qualified linebackers.  Wallace was best as a coverage LB, and based on my memory, I am not sure he was in the top third, but if PFF says so...however, he was nearly last vs. the run.  We need better to play beside Lloyd.  Bam Morris-Scott earned a 37.6 overall PFF defensive grade. To put that in perspective, I was rated by PFF at 32.3 on my couch.   Cherilus Claudin is the third best ILB on the roster right now. He earned a 59.2 overall PFF defensive grade in just over 200 snaps.  Having lost Rozeboom, the Panthers are very thin behind Lloyd.  Look for a starting-caliber ILB in the draft.  Wallace is not the guy, but he is decent depth. Nickel CB:  Chau Smith-Wade  earned a 57.0 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 79th among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His PFF coverage grade of 57.2 ranked 79th among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His run-defense grade of 55.4 ranked 77th at the position.  For a nickel, he played a lot--garnering over 600 snaps.  Corey Thornton was a pleasant surprise, until he was injured.  However, in just 127 snaps, he was very good, earning a 68.5 overall PFF defensive grade.  I think he can play outside in a pinch, but nickel might be his gig.  I am not sold that Nickel is in good hands, but Thornton is promising.  Smith-Wade is average, and with the experience he has accumulated, we are probably not prioritizing Nickel, but there are some good nickels in the draft. Cornerback:  Michael Jackson should have been in the pro bowl.  He earned a 79.1 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 4th among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His PFF coverage grade of 80.9 ranked 3rd among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His run-defense grade of 67.2 ranked 36th at the position. He recorded 4 interceptions on the season. Jackson broke up 9 passes in coverage. He allowed a 72.9 passer rating when targeted by opposing quarterbacks --SOLID!!  Our second-best CB, Jaycee Horn, was in the pro bowl.  He earned a 57.8 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 76th among 114 qualified corner.backs. His PFF coverage grade of 61.6 ranked 61st among 114 qualified cornerbacks. His run-defense grade of 50.5 ranked 87th at the position.  He recorded 5 interceptions on the season.  Our CBs had NINE interceptions in 2025.  It is doubtful they duplicate that figure, but Jackson was our best CB.   We are thin at CB, but the two we put out there are solid.  Nickel, at this time, is "meh," but both are developing and should improve.  A great draft for Nickel.  The Panthers will add a CB somehow. Safety:  For now, Trevon Moehrig is as advertised--above average vs. the run, below average in coverage, making him average. He earned a 64.3 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 50th among 98 qualified safeties. His PFF coverage grade of 55.3 ranked 64th among 98 qualified safeties. His run-defense grade of 73.5 ranked 37th at the position.  Lathan Ransom got some valuable experience in 2025, getting in on 330 plays or so.  He earned a 62.9 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 56th among 98 qualified safeties.  (Average, not bad for a day 3 rookie) His PFF coverage grade of 55.8 ranked 63rd among 98 qualified safeties. His run-defense grade of 85.1 ranked 4th at the position.  A pure strong safety, if you ask me.  Nick Scott  earned a 67.8 overall PFF defensive grade in the 2025 season, 36th among 98 qualified safeties. His PFF coverage grade of 67.3 ranked 31st among 98 qualified safeties. His run-defense grade of 69.3 ranked 56th at the position.  Expect a draft pick at FS.  Demani Richardson is a safety for the Carolina Panthers who earned a 71.5 overall PFF defensive grade n 29 plays.  Nothing to see here.  Isaiah Simmons is probably more special teams than defensive player.   Overall:  We are thin on defense.  No real depth at CB, S, and DE/NT.  However, we have 5 starters who are pro bowl level players (D. Brown, Lloyd, Jackson, Horn, and Phillips--and I might throw Scourton in on that pile for the sixth potential pro bowler).  We are weak at NT, and if Wharton does not step up, DE.  Funny, I see Edge as our strength (and we really don't have a sack artist) and I love our starting CBs.  Moehrig is making too much to be average.   Expect:  In the draft, I think we have to draft a DT.  Having done this, I am not sure that we go after a S when we have such glaring needs at other positions.  We could upgrade at nickel and give the CB room more depth.  OLB?  Wallace is decent depth, and he could start in a pinch.   DE is our biggest need.  The answer could be on the roster?            
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