Analyzing the Panthers' projected 2026 depth chart after free agency

The Carolina Panthers haven’t rested on their laurels after a breakthrough 2025 campaign.

Your reigning and soon-to-be defending NFC South champions have gone to work this offseason, starting with a handful of splashes in free agency. General manager Dan Morgan and company were able to tap into the top of the market for an ascending pass rusher, a playmaking linebacker and even a starting left tackle.

Running it back with a number of their own free agents was also on the agenda. The team fortified their roster by re-signing 14 players from last season’s squad, keeping their depth and special teams structure in place.

So, where has all this activity left them ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft?

Here are our projections for the Panthers’ depth chart as we head out of March . . .

Quarterback

First string: Bryce Young

Second string: Kenny Pickett

Carolina essentially swapped out 38-year-old Andy Dalton, who was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, for Pickett. The 2022 first-round pick now makes his fifth NFL stop in as many seasons, and will provide a bit more youth and mobility behind Young.

But Young and Pickett are the only two quarterbacks currently under contract. Expect the Panthers to add another passer next month, whether they pick one on Day 3 of the draft or sign one following the completion of the selection process.

Running back

First string: Chuba Hubbard

Second string: Jonathon Brooks

Third string: Trevor Etienne

Fifth string: Montrell Johnson Jr.

Sixth string: Anthony Tyus III

Rico Dowdle, the team’s leading rusher from 2025, is off to the Pittsburgh Steelers on a two-year, $12.25 million deal. That, obviously, opens the starting role back up to Hubbard.

Brooks might end up challenging for that job at some point during the season. The 2024 second-round pick, if fully healthy, could offer an element of dynamism this backfield has been missing since the departure of Christian McCaffrey.

Wide receiver

First string: Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette

Second string: David Moore, Brycen Tremayne

Third string: John Metchie III, Ja’seem Reed

Like his fellow 2024 draftee in Brooks, Legette enters a critical 2026. The former first-rounder will have to prove that he belongs next to 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan as the offense looks to grow.

If the Panthers want to push Legette a bit more, perhaps spending another early pick on a receiver is in play.

Slot receiver

First string: Jalen Coker

Second string: Jimmy Horn Jr., Dan Chisena, Ainias Smith

Coker was tendered a one-year contract following his eye-opening 2025. He finished the season by recording nine catches for 134 yards and a touchdown in the wild-card loss to the Los Angeles Rams.

Tight end

First string: Tommy Tremble

Second string: Ja’Tavion Sanders

Third string: Mitchell Evans

Fourth string: James Mitchell

Fifth string: Feleipe Franks

Sixth string: Bryce Pierre

For the purposes of this particular offense, the tight end room is solid at best. But there are a few interesting receiving threats in the 2026 draft class who could spark some much-needed production at the position.

Left tackle

First string: Rasheed Walker

Second string: Stone Forsythe

Ikem Ekwonu, the usual starting left tackle, could begin the regular season on injured reserve after rupturing his patellar tendon in that playoff defeat. Walker and Forsythe, both starters on the blindsides of their respective 2025 teams, provide a sufficient bandage as he recovers.

Left guard

First string: Damien Lewis

Second string: Saahdiq Charles

Third string: Joshua Gray

Lewis will be entering the third season of his four-year pact. Pro Football Focus graded him for career-highs in overall offense (77.7) and pass blocking (79.3) in 2025.

Center

First string: Luke Fortner

Second string: Nick Samac

After losing starter Cade Mays to the Detroit Lions, the Panthers signed Fortner to a one-year deal worth up to $4.25 million. He started ten games for the New Orleans Saints this past season and 34 for the Jacksonville Jaguars between 2022 and 2023.

Carolina may look to draft a potential starting center, or at least some competition for Fortner.

Right guard

First string: Robert Hunt

Second string: Chandler Zavala

Third string: Ja’Tyre Carter

Hunt, who missed the majority of 2025 after tearing his left biceps in Week 2, made a valiant comeback at the end of the campaign. The 2024 Pro Bowler should be ready to go for 2026.

Right tackle

First string: Taylor Moton

Moton, even in dealing with some wear and tear through his ninth pro season, remained rock-solid on the right side. But with a potential 2027 out on one of the their most expensive contracts, the Panthers may very well be drafting his successor in April.

Defensive end

First string: Derrick Brown, Tershawn Wharton

Second string: LaBryan Ray, Jared Harrison-Hunte

Between the disappointing start to his three-year, $45 million agreement and the release of A’Shawn Robinson, Wharton must step up. He appeared in just nine games during the regular season.

If Wharton hasn’t instilled enough faith, drafting a more worthy complement to Brown could be on the table for the Panthers.

Defensive tackle

First string: Bobby Brown III

Second string: Cam Jackson

Brown, meanwhile, flashed quite a bit throughout his first year in Carolina. And so did Jackson, who looks to have been a steal from the fifth round of the 2025 draft.

Outside linebacker

First string: Jaelan Phillips, Nic Scourton

Second string: Pat Jones II, Princely Umanmielen

Third string: Trevis Gipson, Thomas Incoom

Fourth string: Nick Hampton, Jamil Muhammad

The largest contract of free agency belongs to Phillips, who gives the defense the disruptor they’ve needed off the edge. He’ll pair up with Scourton, one of the most impressive Panthers from 2025.

Jones and Umanmielen provide some decent depth behind them.

Inside linebacker

First string: Devin Lloyd, Trevin Wallace

Second string: Claudin Cherelus, Bam Martin-Scott

Third string: Maema Njongmeta, Jacoby Windmon

Fourth string: Mapalo Mwansa, Jared Bartlett

As they did with Phillips, the Panthers threw some money at another glaring weakness to secure Lloyd. The 27-year-old is fresh off his first Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro selections.

Wallace, who underwhelmed in his second season, must be challenged for his starting spot. Look for Carolina to target an inside ‘backer on Day 2 of the draft.

Cornerback

First string: Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson

Second string: Akayleb Evans, Robert Rochell

Third string: Tyrek Funderburk

2025 brought about a second Pro Bowl nod for Horn and a breakout campaign for Jackson, who comes into 2026 on the final year of his contract.

Slot cornerback

First string: Corey Thornton

Second string: Chau Smith-Wade

Third string: Michael Reid

Smith-Wade didn’t lock down the slot duties in his second year. Thornton, who had his rookie season cut short by a broken fibula, may be able to claim the job after shining as an undrafted signee.

Safety

First string: Tre’von Moehrig, Nick Scott

Second string: Lathan Ransom, Demani Richardson

Third string: Isaiah Simmons

Contrary to popular belief, Scott turned in a fine 2025 season. He’s back alongside Moehrig on a new one-year deal.

Simmons, who was also brought back, could make a run into the second string.

Kick returner

First string: Trevor Etienne

Second string: Jimmy Horn Jr.

Etienne led the Panthers with 31 kickoff returns. He averaged 23.6 yards per attempt.

Punt returner

First string: Trevor Etienne

Second string: Jimmy Horn Jr.

Etienne also led in punt returns (20), averaging 8.1 yards a take.

Kicker

First string: Ryan Fitzgerald

As a rookie, Fitzgerald booted through 24 of his 29 field-goal attempts and 27 of his 30 extra-point tries.

Punter

Martin was re-signed to a two-year pact. He averaged 40.5 net yards per punt.

Long snapper

Jansen was the first Panthers free agent to re-sign with the team. He’ll be back for an 18th season in Carolina.

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers 2026 depth chart projections following free agency

Analyzing the Panthers’ projected 2026 depth chart after free agency

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