Breaking down the Panthers’ roster inherited by head coach Dave Canales, GM Dan Morgan

The Panthers are starting over ... again.

Following a disastrous 2-15 campaign, Carolina is working with a revamped power structure with promoted general manager Dan Morgan and newly hired head coach Dave Canales steering the ship. New executive vice president of football operations Brandt Tilis will also play a major role through his roster and salary cap management strategies.

But before that leadership trio can upgrade their roster, they’ll need to assess the group they’ve inherited. As last year’s output displayed, there’s plenty of room for improvement.

According to Pro Football Focus, the Panthers are projected to have roughly $28.6 million in cap space heading into the new NFL year. Tilis can open up a significant amount of additional cap space if the Panthers decide to move on from some aging, overpaid veteran players. But with an underwhelming group to begin with, Morgan, Canales and Tilis will need to weigh their options carefully.

Here is a breakdown of the Panthers’ roster inherited by Canales and Morgan, with analysis:

Quarterback

Under contract: Bryce Young, Andy Dalton

Reserve/future signings: N/A

Impending free agents: N/A

Thoughts: Canales was hired, at least in part, due to his effectiveness with quarterbacks. The internal hope is that Canales can turn around Young’s developmental outlook the way he helped Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield reach new heights over the past two seasons. The Panthers have made a huge investment in Young, and this upcoming season should tell us quite a bit about his future. Dalton is a strong veteran locker room presence who is a positive influence on Young. It’ll be interesting to see if the new brass elects to move on from Dalton ($2 million in cap savings as a post-June 1 release, according to Over The Cap) in favor of someone younger and cheaper like John Wolford, who worked with Canales last year. Either way, look for the Panthers to add one or two arms to the mix this offseason.

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Running back

Under contract: Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders

Reserve/future signings: Tarik Cohen, Mike Boone, Spencer Brown

Impending free agents: Raheem Blackshear (restricted)

Thoughts: Hubbard was a nice surprise as a much-improved playmaker last season. He eventually one-upped Sanders, who was a struggling, high-salaried starter during the first six weeks of the season. Both running backs are likely to return and Hubbard should have a shot at the top job, while Sanders would cost $2.75 million to cut before June 1, according to Over The Cap. Perhaps a brutal season will serve as motivation for Sanders to bounce back. The unit will have a new position coach in Bernie Parmalee, so maybe he can get more out of Sanders this go-around. Blackshear is likely to be back, whether on a new one-year deal or a restricted tender. Cohen, Boone and Brown will all compete in camp.

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Wide receiver

Under contract: Adam Thielen, Jonathan Mingo, Mike Strachan, Terrace Marshall

Reserve/future signings: Jalen Camp, Cam Sims

Impending free agents: DJ Chark, Laviska Shenault, Ihmir Smith-Marsette (restricted)

Thoughts: Despite showing signs of frustration toward the end of last season, Thielen seems like a keeper in Carolina. He has been a strong counterpart for Young, and his overall leadership ability was on display throughout his 100-catch, 1,000-yard campaign. Mingo had an underwhelming rookie season, but the second-round pick will get a chance to improve in 2024.

Outside of Thielen and Mingo, this feels like a position group ripe for reworking this offseason. Smith-Marsette would make sense as a re-signing after his strong finish to last season, but the Panthers need to be better at wideout. Canales needs to figure out if he wants to be the third head coach to try to get the most out of Marshall. If the Panthers move on, look for Marshall to join fellow LSU alum, Chark, on the way out. Shenault is likely heading elsewhere, too.

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Tight end

Under contract: Hayden Hurst, Tommy Tremble, Ian Thomas, Stephen Sullivan

Reserve/future signings: Jordan Matthews, Chris Pierce

Impending free agents: Giovanni Ricci (restricted)

Thoughts: Hurst claims he won’t retire after suffering a significant head injury last season. While he was on injured reserve for the majority of the second half of the season, it’s hard to say Hurst was missed in the lineup, as his first-half production was mediocre at best. Tremble stepped up big time, and he seems like a legitimate contributor heading into the fourth and final year of his rookie deal. Sullivan showed signs of playmaking ability, and he was re-signed shortly after the conclusion of the season. The Panthers can save $2.26 million in cap space by moving on from Thomas. Hurst’s release would only save $52,156, with a dead money hit of $9.86 million.

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Offensive line

Under contract: Bradley Bozeman, Ikem Ekwonu, Taylor Moton, Brady Christensen, Austin Corbett, Cade Mays, Chandler Zavala, J.D. DiRenzo, Nash Jensen, Ricky Lee, Ilm Manning

Reserve/future signings: Badara Traore

Impending free agents: Gabe Jackson, Justin McCray

Thoughts: Despite the group having the majority of its notable players under contract, the offensive line is in a puzzling situation with a need for change. With James Campen no longer in charge of the unit, expect that change to happen, especially at guard.

While injuries piled up at guard last season, the starters around that position faltered. Ekwonu and Bozeman were on roller coaster rides for the majority of the season, and some have suggested position changes for both. Moton has been the most consistent member of the offensive line, but he’d also open up $5.25 million if he were to be released.

Christensen, Corbett, Mays and Zavala will all return, but there will be probably be a wide open competition at guard. Corbett is coming off his second major surgery in 12 months, while Christensen missed all but one game last season. Mays needs to be more consistent.

Look for the Panthers to add a free agent or two to the mix, especially if they move Ekwonu to guard and/or move on from Moton.

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Defensive line

Under contract: Derrick Brown, Shy Tuttle, Nick Thurman, LaBryan Ray

Reserve/future signings: Raequan Williams

Impending free agents: Henry Anderson, DeShawn Williams, Chris Wormley

Thoughts: While Brown is entering the fifth and final year of his contract, the Panthers would be wise to sign him to an extension immediately. Brown is coming off an unreal campaign that led to his first Pro Bowl nod. He is the Panthers’ best player on defense, and it might not be close at this point.

Thurman and Ray were nice surprises as rotational players last season, while Tuttle was solid enough at nose tackle. Still, the Panthers need to add pieces to this unit through free agency and the draft.

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Edge rusher

Under contract: Amare Barno, DJ Johnson, Eku Leota, Luiji Vilain

Reserve/future signings: N/A

Impending free agents: Brian Burns, Marquis Haynes, Yetur Gross-Matos

Thoughts: The Panthers’ top three edge rushers are set to become free agents. Burns is likely to receive the franchise tag after contract negotiations fell through last season. If Burns makes negotiating difficult this offseason, it wouldn’t be surprising to see him get moved for a premium draft pick (or two). With the Panthers lacking a first-round pick, Burns is one of the few notable trade chips left to upgrade their allotment for draft weekend. Still, the Panthers should do everything they can to retain a homegrown, two-time Pro Bowl pass rusher.

Haynes and Gross-Matos are solid rotational players. Haynes was injured most of last season, so Carolina could try to bring him back on a 1-year prove-it deal. Gross-Matos, despite not being a natural fit for Ejiro Evero’s 3-4 system, shined as a movable chess piece. He should be an option for a return, as well.

Johnson is coming off a forgettable rookie season, but he should be on scholarship for one more season as a third-round pick. The Panthers need to upgrade this group in free agency and the draft. Selecting a pass rusher in the second round of the draft to complement and/or replace Burns seems like a logical avenue for success at the position.

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Inside linebacker

Under contract: Shaq Thompson, Chandler Wooten, Claudin Cherelus

Reserve/future signings: N/A

Impending free agents: Frankie Luvu, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Deion Jones, Tae Davis

Thoughts: Thompson is coming off a significant leg injury. But cutting him seems unlikely with his salary cap situation and the lack of depth at inside linebacker. Wooten and Cherelus are mostly used on special teams, and neither player is a particularly appropriate in-house replacement for Thompson.

Luvu’s free agency outlook is fascinating. He’s among the best blitzing linebackers in the league, but his tweener playing style will lead to unique comparisons on the open market. With Evero expected to return, the Panthers should really try to retain Luvu on a long-term deal. His return is likely to come down to price.

Grugier-Hill would make sense as a returnee due to his experience and special teams prowess. Regardless of the players who return, look for Morgan to upgrade this group.

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Cornerback

Under contract: Jaycee Horn, Donte Jackson, D’Shawn Jamison, Dicaprio Bootle

Reserve/future signings: Lamar Jackson, A.J. Parker

Impending free agents: C.J. Henderson, Troy Hill, Shaquill Griffin

Thoughts: Horn has a big offseason ahead of him. With his fifth-year contract option looming, it might not be a lock for him to have that extra year picked up. Horn has only played in 22 of the 51 games in which he’s been eligible to appear over the past three seasons due to a litany of injuries. When Horn plays, he’s got the makings of a Top 10 corner. But his lack of availability has been frustrating in his career with Carolina.

The Panthers also have a big choice to make with Jackson. Cutting the veteran corner would save the team $5.9 million in cap space. Jackson has been inconsistent and injury prone over the past couple of seasons. Still, with Hill and Henderson set to hit free agency, the Panthers might want to invest in continuity. Hill is more likely to return than Henderson, as the former did a good job at nickel corner this past season.

With Horn’s injury history, Jackson’s potential cap savings and the rest of the group’s uncertainty, the Panthers are likely to double dip on cornerback additions this offseason.

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Safety

Under contract: Xavier Woods, Vonn Bell, Jammie Robinson, Alex Cook

Reserve/future signings: N/A

Impending free agents: Jeremy Chinn, Sam Franklin

Thoughts: Woods and Bell played well together in their debut season as a duo. The two veteran safeties were among the bright spots on defense last season, and the position is arguably the most secure unit on the depth chart. Cook had his moments on defense and special teams after arriving as a mid-season replacement. Robinson has special teams upside and could be a long-term contributor in that element.

Chinn is likely to head elsewhere after being scarcely used last season. With Evero returning, Chinn’s retention seems incredibly unlikely. Franklin, a special teams ace, might need to look for work elsewhere with former special teams coordinator Chris Tabor no longer around.

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Specialists

Under contract: Johnny Hekker (P), Eddy Piñeiro (K)

Reserve/future signings: N/A

Impending free agents: JJ Jansen (LS)

Thoughts: With Tabor out of the mix, there could be some movement here.

Hekker has been one of the best punters in the league throughout his career, and he should be able to complete the final year of his contract in Carolina.

Jansen, the team’s record-breaking long snapper, would make sense to retain as well, as he hasn’t had a bad snap in years and his leadership is routinely felt in the locker room. Still, with Tilis in charge of the cap, the Panthers could, in theory, try to go younger and cheaper at the position.

Piñeiro had a solid follow-up campaign to his breakout 2022 season. But with his longtime mentor, Tabor, no longer around, the Panthers could turn to another direction at kicker. Cutting Piñeiro would save $1.85 million in cap space.

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