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I am so excited after FA and our draft picks, as well as UDFA’s we picked up. I was thinking we would make playoffs this year, probably as a wildcard and 2026 as contenders. However I feel like Dan and Dave got us out to a fast rebuild start, grabbing some good players throughout last two years. Players are actually wanting to play for us again. My question is in two parts. We have a rather large WR room with our original players, drafting TMac and Jimmy Horn Jr., and signing Hunter Renfrow as well as our UDFAs. So, how many do you think we put on the team this year? Some may end up on practice squad possibly while others may lose spots all together. I feel like a few original players will have to really step up to make the roster. I believe TMac, Adam Thielen, Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, Renfrow, and possibly Muhammad III could make the team with Horn Jr on special teams. What is your take?

Last question: do you feel we stepped up and made the necessary changes to be able to compete for a position in the playoffs? Where do you feel we still have weaknesses? Thank you for your time you give to Carolina Panthers fans. — Cheryl, Fuquay Varina, NC

We do it for the people, Cheryl, thanks. And this dovetails nicely with Tyler’s question above, because this spot also became a lot more competitive last weekend.

The room is large, big enough for all of them to fit in at once. Generally, teams keep six players at that position. Roster counts can be fluid, so nothing is ever in stone, but that’s a normal amount to carry on the 53 without going way short in other places.

And it’s fair to assume that McMillan, Legette, and Thielen are accounting for half of those spots.

So Coker, veteran David Moore, Dan Chisena (whose speed could make him a needed special teams part), Renfrow coming back from a year out of football, and sixth-rounder Horn have to fight for jobs. There will also be competition from the reported undrafted receivers, including Muhsin Muhammad III (those deals aren’t finalized until they get here next week and can often change between the time of agreement and signature).

That’s as deep as that group has been in years, and they’re in the position of potentially letting guys go who either played key roles in the past or were just drafted. That’s a positive for the health of the roster. Guys who are picked on the third day only have guaranteed spots on rosters that are less than ideal. The competition is the point.

Special teams will be a big factor in this as well, beyond the return jobs. Horn Jr. has electrifying open-field speed and could be a punt return weapon. Fellow rookie Trevor Etienne could make a role for himself on kickoff returns. Chisena is really good in coverage, and in a world beyond special teams staples like Sam Franklin, there’s a need for those guys too.

As far as the playoffs? Getting closer. The roster is incomplete and still thin at certain spots on defense (particularly in the secondary). But again, the whole is getting better because they have created more competition.