The Charlotte Observer's Mike Kaye 2025 Carolina Panthers 53-gayman roster prediction spectacular

[PappyMay]

I agree with most of this. Don’t know why we’d keep Tremayne and think could cut one of the ILB. Heck I hope we can cherry pick a depth piece off someone else. I doubt it happens but hope we can trade Tuttle instead of just cut him. 

[PadresPanthersFan]

1 hour ago, TD alt said:

Sounds about right. I'm really not enthused by Nick Scott or Shemar Bartholomew. 

I didn't realize Jarrett Kingston had made such an impact. That LB group is the best we can do for now. It's one big question mark that could surprise or flop. That might be the biggest position of need in the 2026 draft. I'm betting that or TE.

At least the biggest position of need isn't

e. All of the above anymore

[therealmjl]

I highly doubt Brycen Tremaine gets a spot over David Moore

[PNW_PantherMan]

1 hour ago, frankw said:

At first I thought I misread the title because I was tired. Then I burst out laughing. Thanks Juan

Finding joy in the little things is always a gift

[Swaggasaurus]

Probably drop an inside backer for Tuttle, but thinking about the same.

[TD alt]

1 hour ago, PadresPanthersFan said:

At least the biggest position of need isn't

e. All of the above anymore

I agree. It seems to me that the roster is improving.

[Gapanthersfan]

David Moore still has decent wheels, rarely drops a pass and knows how to get open for 6 in the red zone. He and Bryce have a good working chemistry. He may surprise some when he makes the final 53. 

[Stuart Smith]

12 hours ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

I don't know why many are convinced Brycen Tremayne makes the team. He's just a guy, he doesn't return punts or kicks and isn't fast. 

He is sure handed and special teams would be my thought. I do question him over Moore. 

Edited 3 hours ago by Stuart Smith

[CRA]

12 minutes ago, Gapanthersfan said:

David Moore still has decent wheels, rarely drops a pass and knows how to get open for 6 in the red zone. He and Bryce have a good working chemistry. He may surprise some when he makes the final 53. 

Moore had one of the higher drop % in the NFL last year paired with the worst YAC per reception in the NFL

we got to get these painfully low ceiling dudes off the roster IMO

[TheSpecialJuan]

ESPN's David Newton:

QUARTERBACKS (2): Bryce Young, Andy Dalton

A preseason muscle injury to Dalton's right arm could force the Panthers to keep Jack Plummer if the issue gets worse, but that currently doesn't seem to be a concern. For the first time since going No. 1 in 2023, there is no question that Young is the starter after winning two of his final three games last season with 10 touchdowns (7 passing, 3 rushing) and no turnovers.

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RUNNING BACKS (3): Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle, Trevor Etienne

Selecting Etienne in the fourth round out of Georgia makes veteran Raheem Blackshear a likely cut. Etienne has shown in the preseason that he is a capable option as a runner, in addition to being a returner, which has been Blackshear's primary responsibility since 2022.

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WIDE RECEIVERS (7): Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen, Jalen Coker, Jimmy Horn Jr., David Moore, Hunter Renfrow

This is the most improved group on the team, so keeping seven initially makes sense. If the Panthers go with six it could make coach Dave Canales' favorite, Moore, expendable with Renfrow showing he's close to the level he played in 2021 when he made the Pro Bowl with the Las Vegas Raiders. Brycen Tremayne, who's had an excellent preseason, will be a tough cut.

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TIGHT ENDS (3): Tommy Tremble, Ja'Tavion Sanders, Mitchell Evans

There is anticipation Tremble (back surgery) will be ready for the regular season after coming off the PUP list before the preseason finale, though he could still miss a game or two. Keeping him on the 53-man roster makes sense so she doesn't have to miss the first four games.

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OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (10): T Ikem Ekwonu, G Damien Lewis, G Robert Hunt, C Austin Corbett, C Cade Mays, T Taylor Moton, T Yosh Nijman, T-G Brady Christensen, G Chandler Zavala, G Jarrett Kingston

Injuries to guards Lewis (strained shoulder) and Zavala (knee) plays a factor in keeping 10 instead of the nine predicted going into camp. The starting five returning from 2024 had a solid preseason, but the lackluster play of backups showed depth remains a concern.

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DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (6): DE Derrick Brown, NT Bobby Brown III, DE Tershawn Wharton, DE A'Shawn Robinson, NT Cam Jackson , DE Jaden Crumedy

A shoulder injury that has kept fifth-round pick Jackson from making an impact means Crumedy could make it here. The biggest cut will be Shy Tuttle, who has 32 starts the past two years but little to show for it. Moving on from him will create $2.4 million in cap space that can be used elsewhere.

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LINEBACKERS (10): OLB D.J. Wonnum, OLB Patrick Jones II, OLB Princely Umanmielen, OLB Nic Scourton, OLB Thomas Incoom, ILB Christian Rozeboom, ILB Trevin Wallace, ILB Claudin Cherelus, ILB Jon Rhattigan, ILB Jacoby Windmon

The release of ILB Josey Jewell (concussion protocol) at the start of camp required immediate attention, but Rozeboom has stepped up well. Depth remains a big question, particularly inside. Moving on from draft pick Bam Martin-Scott means he'll likely end up on the practice squad. It was time to move on from OLB DJ Johnson. Look for turnover beyond the starters here.

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CORNERBACKS (5): Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson, Chau Smith-Wade, Shemar Bartholomew, Corey ThorntonJackson has played well enough at times to ease the concern opposite Pro Bowler Horn. Thorton's play during camp has been a big surprise, but the overall depth of this group means there likely will be turnover.

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SAFETIES (4): Tre'von Moehrig, Nick Scott, Demani Richardson, Lathan Ransom

The big question is how long it will take fourth-round pick Ransom to replace Scott as the starter opposite Moehrig. Also, don't rule out another experienced player being signed.

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SPECIALISTS (3): K Ryan Fitzgerald, P Sam Martin, LS JJ Jansen

Big-legged undrafted free agent Fitzgerald out of Florida State may have solidified his spot over Matthew Wright with a 52-yard field goal in the second preseason game against the Texans. The other two spots are solid, but Carolina likely will keep an eye out for dependable veterans who end up being released.