Defensive linemen (6): Derrick Brown, A’Shawn Robinson, Tershawn Wharton, Bobby Brown III, Cam Jackson, Jaden Crumedy.
With LaBryan Ray heading to IR (he can be designated for return after four weeks), the Panthers held onto a couple of recent draft picks for depth in Jackson and Crumedy.
Outside linebackers (6): Patrick Jones II, DJ Wonnum, Nic Scourton, Princely Umanmielen, Thomas Incoom, DJ Johnson.
A couple of veteran starters, a couple of draft picks with promise, along with a special teamer in Incoom and Johnson, who had his best camp.
Linebackers (4): Christian Rozeboom, Trevin Wallace, Claudin Cherelus, Bam Martin-Scott.
This group could still be in flux, as they’ll be looking for depth and special teams help in the coming days. Martin-Scott, the undrafted rookie from South Carolina, made an early impression here and has the potential to develop.
Cornerbacks (5): Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson, Chau Smith-Wade, Corey Thornton, Akayleb Evans.
Thornton, another undrafted rookie, made the 53 with a strong preseason. They’re solid in the starting group with Horn and Jackson, and Smith-Wade has developed into a solid nickel. Evans is a solid special teams player as well, and they’ll need those in the coming weeks.
Safeties (4): Tre’von Moehrig, Nick Scott, Lathan Ransom, Demani Richardson.
The Panthers looked at a number of veteran options throughout the offseason, and that could still be the case. But this group gives them a defensive tone-setter in Moehrig, a core special teamer in Scott, and a couple of young players who have interesting skills. Ransom could end up being a starter, and Richardson has a track record of making plays when he gets on the field.
Special teams (3): K Ryan Fitzgerald, P Sam Martin, LS JJ Jansen.
This is the group, until it isn’t. The Panthers have said they’ll look at all the available kickers around the league, so until Fitzgerald lines up for the opening kickoff, field goal, or extra point in Jacksonville in a week and a half, it’s probably safest not to make too many assumptions.