Five dark horse candidates to make the Carolina Panthers roster

[Seltzer]

Good article for discussion this time of year. 

https://247sports.com/nfl/carolina-panthers/Article/Panthers-2019-roster-dark-horse-candidates-133370869/

Candidates are:

• S Corrion Ballard
• CB Javien Elliott
• TE Temarrick Hemingway
• LB Antwione Williams
• G Brandon Greene

Article makes valid arguments for each

• Ballard was the only UDFA safety brought in and safety is obviously the weakest roster position on paper.  However, we only brought 4 UDFA overall b/c of adding AAF players so I don't know how much you can read into it.
• Elliot IMO has the best chance to make the roster.  Originally undrafted, Elliot played in 15 games last year for Tampa (unfortunately getting his 1st INT against Cam) and will provide legitimate competition at backup slot corner.  I would think he has an early leg up on Corn Elder based on their NFL experience and performance thus far.
• Hemingway got a lot of looks at OTA with other TE's recovering and showed well.  Former 6th Round pick- he played 5 games last year for the Broncos.  Ultimately, though, doubt he can unseat Manhertz for the 3rd TE position.  Still young enough to potentially warrant PS spot.
• Williams caught the eye of Kuechly during OTA's, but faces an uphill battle to make the roster as ILB depth.  5th rounder in 2015, he made 27 tackles and recovered a fumble as a rookie.  Hasn't played in the regular season since 2016.  Would have to probably standout on ST and leapfrog Jermaine Carter and/or Andre Smith.
• Greene has the 2nd best chance to make the roster IMO, especially with Brandon Mahon unexpectedly being cut.  Not sure if those 2 things are related, but Greene, despite being undrafted in 2017, played in a big-time program at Alabama and spent time with the Bears on their PS and briefly on the active roster before having a good season in the AAF and being signed by the Panthers.

So what do you guys think?  I think Javien Elliot and Brandon Greene have good opportunities to make the roster.  The other guys are probably looking at the PS (at best) barring injury or and incredible showing at TC and in the preseason.

[Go DJ that's my DJ]

none of those guys will make the team IMO.

[therealmjl]

1 hour ago, Go DJ that's my DJ said:

none of those guys will make the team IMO.

Except the safety bc the rest of our safeties are hot garbage outside of Reid

[L-TownCat]

Id put one of the young RBs on the list.

[45catfan]

I'll do my list to most probable to least probable.

1) S Quin Blanding

2)  G Kofi Amichia

3) TE Tamarrick Hemingway

4) DT Destiny Vaeao

5) RB Elijah Hood

[dpm0409]

16 minutes ago, L-TownCat said:

Id put one of the young RBs on the list.

Yeah, I agree that's more probable than all of the above with the one exception being perhaps Ballard.

[45catfan]

I'm playing the probability.  We all know safety is a weak spot and the most likely to roster an unknown guy.   Besides Turner and Van Roten, a reserve guard position is up for grabs.  I can see either Manhertz losing a spot or us keeping a 4th TE this year so the odds are one of the camp guys could stick.  Since the traditional 4-3 DE is out the window, I could see a hybrid DT making the roster for depth behind McCoy and Short as a 5-tech.  It's a no-brainer that CMC needs a backup, but I'm shocked everyone is writing off Hood.  He was having a strong camp last year before the injury.  If we decide to keep a veteran RB, I give the nod to Hood (as long as he's healthy) over CAP.   Secondly, we all know that rookie RBs struggle immensely in pass protection, for that reason alone I doubt CMCs primary backup will be either of the rookies...3rd string yes, but not 2nd string.

[RoaringRiot]

3 hours ago, 45catfan said:

 Besides Turner and Van Roten, a reserve guard position is up for grabs.  

Hearn 

[TheSpecialJuan]

7 hours ago, Go DJ that's my DJ said:

none of those guys will make the team IMO.

ruthlesss 

[45catfan]

30 minutes ago, RoaringRiot said:

Hearn 

You are penciling Hearn in as the #3 guard?  I am nowhere that sold on him. I think he stuck last year due to extremely weak competition and is more in line with the practice squad where he has spent most of his time here.

[RoaringRiot]

7 minutes ago, 45catfan said:

You are penciling Hearn in as the #3 guard?  I am nowhere that sold on him. I think he stuck last year due to extremely weak competition and is more in line with the practice squad where he has spent most of his time here.

If we're going by where he played for all of minicamp, totally. Of course things change in training camp. But as of today, yes it's 100% him. 

[micnificent28]

I'm beting on blanding and elliot.. blanding out of need and ability.. elliot is just a player.. comes from a prestigious fsu program that had him with the likes of Jaylen Ramsey and derwin James among others.. kid can just play.

[KB_fan]

Interesting discussion.

When working on my roster database I was surprised by the number of games played by Javien Elliot (36) and DT Destiny Vaeao (33).

Rashad Ross (WR) is another guy I'll be watching since we need a return guy.

[Black&BlueBubba]

Kai Nacua has an outside shot.  I think he has a better shot than Blanding.