March 27, 2026, 1:05 p.m. ET<\/p>\n
The Carolina Panthers<\/a> haven’t rested on their laurels after a breakthrough 2025 campaign.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n So, where has all this activity left them ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft?<\/p>\n Here are our projections for the Panthers’ depth chart as we head out of March . . .<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a>QuarterbackFirst string: Bryce YoungSecond string: Kenny Pickett<\/p>\n Carolina essentially swapped out 38-year-old Andy Dalton, who was traded<\/a> 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> a bit more youth and mobility behind Young.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Running backFirst string: Chuba HubbardSecond string: Jonathon BrooksThird string: Trevor EtienneFourth string: AJ DillonFifth string: Montrell Johnson Jr.Sixth string: Anthony Tyus III<\/p>\n Rico Dowdle, the team’s leading rusher from 2025, is off<\/a> to the Pittsburgh Steelers on a two-year, $12.25 million deal. That, obviously, opens the starting role back up to Hubbard.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Wide receiverFirst string: Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier LegetteSecond string: David Moore, Brycen TremayneThird string: John Metchie III, Ja’seem Reed<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n If the Panthers want to push Legette a bit more, perhaps spending another early pick on a receiver is in play.<\/p>\n Slot receiverFirst string: Jalen CokerSecond string: Jimmy Horn Jr., Dan Chisena, Ainias Smith<\/p>\n Coker was tendered<\/a> 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<\/a> to the Los Angeles Rams.<\/p>\n Tight endFirst string: Tommy TrembleSecond string: Ja’Tavion SandersThird string: Mitchell EvansFourth string: James MitchellFifth string: Feleipe FranksSixth string: Bryce Pierre<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Left tackleFirst string: Rasheed WalkerSecond string: Stone Forsythe<\/p>\n Ikem Ekwonu, the usual starting left tackle, could begin the regular season on injured reserve after rupturing<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Left guardFirst string: Damien LewisSecond string: Saahdiq CharlesThird string: Joshua Gray<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n CenterFirst string: Luke FortnerSecond string: Nick Samac<\/p>\n After losing<\/a> starter Cade Mays to the Detroit Lions, the Panthers signed<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Carolina may look to draft a potential starting center, or at least some competition for Fortner.<\/p>\n Right guardFirst string: Robert HuntSecond string: Chandler ZavalaThird string: Ja’Tyre Carter<\/p>\n Hunt, who missed the majority of 2025 after tearing his left biceps in Week 2, made a valiant comeback<\/a> at the end of the campaign. The 2024 Pro Bowler should be ready to go for 2026.<\/p>\n Right tackleFirst string: Taylor Moton<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Defensive endFirst string: Derrick Brown, Tershawn WhartonSecond string: LaBryan Ray, Jared Harrison-Hunte<\/p>\n Between the disappointing start to his three-year, $45 million agreement and the release<\/a> of A’Shawn Robinson, Wharton must step up. He appeared in just nine games during the regular season.<\/p>\n If Wharton hasn’t instilled enough faith, drafting a more worthy complement to Brown could be on the table for the Panthers.<\/p>\n Defensive tackleFirst string: Bobby Brown IIISecond string: Cam Jackson<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Outside linebackerFirst string: Jaelan Phillips, Nic ScourtonSecond string: Pat Jones II, Princely UmanmielenThird string: Trevis Gipson, Thomas IncoomFourth string: Nick Hampton, Jamil Muhammad<\/p>\n The largest contract<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n Jones and Umanmielen provide some decent depth behind them.<\/p>\n Inside linebackerFirst string: Devin Lloyd, Trevin WallaceSecond string: Claudin Cherelus, Bam Martin-ScottThird string: Maema Njongmeta, Jacoby WindmonFourth string: Mapalo Mwansa, Jared Bartlett<\/p>\n As they did with Phillips, the Panthers threw some money at another glaring weakness to secure<\/a> Lloyd. The 27-year-old is fresh off his first Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro selections.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n CornerbackFirst string: Jaycee Horn, Mike JacksonSecond string: Akayleb Evans, Robert RochellThird string: Tyrek Funderburk<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Slot cornerbackFirst string: Corey ThorntonSecond string: Chau Smith-WadeThird string: Michael Reid<\/p>\n Smith-Wade didn’t lock down the slot duties in his second year. Thornton, who had his rookie season cut short<\/a> by a broken fibula, may be able to claim the job after shining as an undrafted signee.<\/p>\n SafetyFirst string: Tre’von Moehrig, Nick ScottSecond string: Lathan Ransom, Demani RichardsonThird string: Isaiah Simmons<\/p>\n Contrary to popular belief, Scott turned in a fine 2025 season. He’s back<\/a> alongside Moehrig on a new one-year deal.<\/p>\n Simmons, who was also brought back<\/a>, could make a run into the second string.<\/p>\n Kick returnerFirst string: Trevor EtienneSecond string: Jimmy Horn Jr.<\/p>\n Etienne led the Panthers with 31 kickoff returns. He averaged 23.6 yards per attempt.<\/p>\n Punt returnerFirst string: Trevor EtienneSecond string: Jimmy Horn Jr.<\/p>\n Etienne also led in punt returns (20), averaging 8.1 yards a take.<\/p>\n KickerFirst string: Ryan Fitzgerald<\/p>\n As a rookie, Fitzgerald booted through 24 of his 29 field-goal attempts and 27 of his 30 extra-point tries.<\/p>\n Punter<\/p>\n Martin was re-signed<\/a> to a two-year pact. He averaged 40.5 net yards per punt.<\/p>\n Long snapper<\/p>\n Jansen was the first Panthers free agent to re-sign<\/a> with the team. He’ll be back for an 18th season in Carolina.<\/p>\n Follow our\u00a0free agency tracker<\/a>\u00a0for all the latest moves.<\/p>\n