Rough Depth Chart (with position analyses)

[MHS831]

This is rough.  I do these for myself-helps me keep up with all the chaos and see the blueprint at times.  It never hurts to share this with you, but the roster is very fluid--when I do this, it changes the next day. 

I see 12 areas that must still be addressed.  If you consider that only 3-4 draft picks make a difference, we still have work to do.  Of course, we have some depth players that could be in the plans and I am not aware--such as CBs Evans and Bartholomew, LBs Windmon, Rattigan, etc.

Hope this helps to see it all--I am sure there will be disagreements.  However, depending on what we do in free agency over the next few days, it seems the draft will address FS, WR, Edge early on. 

Yellow areas must be addressed.  This thing will not be valid by Thursday, so enjoy it now.

Offense   RED: IR or PUP;  PURPLE: PRACTICE SQUAD  

 

 

(0) Offensive Line: The Panthers are set, but they may still add a RT for depth and an eventual replacement for Moton. The key depth players (Mays, Zavala, and Christensen) have starting experience. Nijman will probably be cut, and Kingston could go back to the PS,    Mays and Christensen can play every position on the OL.  

(2) Wide Receiver:  Considering Moore and Devin Thompkins are free agents, the Panthers are currently with 3 Wide receivers. 2 more are needed, probably 3. Expect the Panthers to watch the waiver wire, sign an UDFA if possible, and draft one.

(1) Running Back:  After Chuba, nothing.  I think we will draft a RB on day 3, perhaps finding a UDFA or two for the PS. How the Panthers approach RB will tell us about  Brooks.

(0) Quarterback: The roster is set at QB, but the PS may not be. Is Plummer the #3?

(1) Tight End:  Similar to Wide Receiver, the Panthers have some horses in the barn, but no thoroughbred. The fact that the Panthers have not signed a TE in free agency might indicate they are drafting one or going to go with what they have.  Assuming they can’t address all needs, can the Panthers go with Sanders, Tremble, Franks (special teamer)? That depends on the offense and their opinion of Sanders. 

 

Analysis:  The Panthers must address WR and hit on two players who can contribute immediately.  Legette and Coker need to improve; AT needs to stay healthy.  I think they will sign a free agent WR before the draft.  Of course, the TE room could use a name brand TE to go with Tremble and Sanders.  TE can be a strength.  RB?  Don’t get desperate, but look for quality on day 3 of the draft. Frankly, I am sure that some very good RBs will not be drafted and would sign with Carolina knowing that they would have a shot at playing time as a rookie.

Offensive Needs:  WR, TE, WR, RB, and possibly RT

 

Defense

Edge: Jack  OLB Linebacker	Defensive End	Defensive Tackle	Defensive End	Edge: Sam OLB Linebacker
Jadav Clowney	Derrick Brown	Bobby Brown	A’Shwn Robinson	DJ Wonnum
		Shy Tuttle	T’Shwn. Wharton	Pat Jones
Amare Barno		Jaden Crumedy		DJ Johnson
Cornerback	Will LB	Mike LB	Nickel CB	Cornerback
JC Horn	Trevin Wallace	Josey Jewell	Chau Smith-Wade	Mike Jackson
	ChanderWooten	JacbyWindmon
Akayleb Evans	ClaudinCherilus	John Rattigan		S. Bartholomew
	Free Safety		Strong Safety
			Tre Moehrig
			D. Richardson

 

(0) Defensive Tackle:  Bobby Brown and Shy Tuttle with Crumedy on the PS. I think the Panthers are set.

(1) Defensive End: Derrick Brown, A. Robinson and T’Shawn Wharton.  Robinson had 5 sacks in 2024 and Wharton had 6.5.  Robinson is better vs. Run.  The draft is deep at DT. It is possible that the Panthers draft one later that is strong vs, the run.

(0) Sam Outside Linebacker:  Over TE and holds the edge.  DJ Wonnum, Pat Jones. DJ Johnson and Barno could be cut.

(1) Jack Outside Linebacker: Nine technique who gets to the QB.  Jadaveon Clowney needs an edge to limit his plays and mentor. This is interesting if Walker is the pick–not sure what it means.  It should be noted that Pat Jones had more sacks as a reserve in Minnesota.  

(1) Will Inside Linebacker:  Trevin Wallace should be the backup.  The Panthers need a starter.  Wooten will likely be cut.  

(1) Mike Inside Linebacker:  Jewell is getting up there in age and could use an understudy.  Rattigan and Windmon showed some promise,  I see an addition to this position in the draft.

(1) Cornerback:  Horn and Jackson are solid, Smith-Wade could be the nickel, but it is not his job at this point. There is no depth unless the Panthers like Evans and Bartholomew, a pair of CBs who played down the stretch and were decent. I think they will add one at some point. 

(0) Strong Safety:  Moehrig will be an upgrade at SS and he can play deep zone S.  Richardson is adequate depth.

(2) Free Safety: The Panthers will draft one and sign one in free agency later this week, imo.  There are some solid Safeties in the draft, but most are SS. 

Analysis: Morgan and company are focused on the defense, so they paid a lot of money to players who are good tacklers and strong against the run.  It is interesting that Morgan did not address LB in free agency, and we cannot expect Jewell and Wallace to hold it down in the absence of Shaq. The Panthers need an edge rusher, despite having Clowney, Wonnum, and Jones.  This could suggest that they like Javon Walker, planning to use him as the Will LB and an occasional edge rusher.  However, the Panthers have nothing at S. This is a difficult analysis because, as it stands right now, they are going to need to prioritize some areas and leave others in need of upgrading.  

Defensive Needs:  Free Safety, Edge (depth), Will Linebacker, Cornerback (depth), Defensive End (depth), Sam Linebacker (depth), Free Safety (depth)

Prioritized Needs

1. Wide Receiver

2. Free Safety

3. Edge (depth, future starter)

4. WIll Inside Linebacker

5. Running Back (depth)

6. Mike Inside Linebacker (depth, future starter)

7. Tight End

8. Defensive End (depth)

9. WIde Receiver (depth)

10. Cornerback (depth)

11. Offensive Right Tackle (depth)

12. Free Safety (depth)

Edited 11 hours ago by MHS831

[Manna]

Commenting before reading but damn, I appreciate the effort you put into this. 

[Aussie Tank]

Wharton is gonna start over Robinson

[DaveThePanther2008]

I wouldn't be upset if we picked up another TE but Sanders showed improvement and with a full season under his belt could very well take the next step. Tremble is also getting better and better. Maybe Frank take the next step and becomes TE3. Hopefully 2024 was the last season we have to look at stone hands Thomas. 

[App Panther]

Great stuff.

I think we need to take a long look at Evan Engram. Hes closer to a WR than a TE, but Bryce could use this.

[TheSpecialJuan]

Impressive work, man. 

[carpanfan96]

Nice job. They are letting Wallace start. They like Jalon Walker but as an edge. His ability to blitz and run with TE’s. 

[NJPanthers89]

I think the TE room with Sanders and Tremble is set.  Two talented young guys who need to show up.  The WRs desperately need an alpha #1.  Leggette needs to really take a step forward, and we have to pray Thielen stays healthy.  Tet McMillan should be the target at 8 and would be a major upgrade to this offense.  A FA signing or two is inevitable as well.  
 

Defensively they are doing it right.  You don’t need a dominant expensive defense in today’s NFL.  You need a blue collar defense that can show up, stop the run, and create turnovers.  It’s very difficult to completely shut down other teams with the rules today.  The money should be spent on the offense, it’s an offensive driven league.  With that said there are obviously holes at LB and FS that Morgan will address at some point.  The roster is not going to be completely fixed this offseason but we should expect another trend to the upside with next off season being critical for a potential playoff push.  

[Aussie Tank]

The size speed slut that Morgan is almost guarantees Stewart as the pick for me. A sneaking end if round 2 pick for me is Jayden Higgens 

[kungfoodude]

4 hours ago, Aussie Tank said:

Wharton is gonna start over Robinson

I am not sure about that. Wharton is really bad against the run.

[kungfoodude]

I think the biggest glaring weakness is still the overall defense. About 5-6 of the "starting" players would be rotational players on the majority of NFL teams. 

After that, obviously the pass catching group is one of the worst in the NFL. Albeit a chunk of that is due to very unproven, young players.

Still 2-3 offseasons away from potentially being a good roster but at least we might have made some overall progress towards that goal.

[Aussie Tank]

Just now, kungfoodude said:

I am not sure about that. Wharton is really bad against the run.

Yeaj I just don't see Morgan shelling out a 3 year 54 million dollar deal with a very strong DLine draft class coming for a rotation piece 

[theinstrumental]

Nice post! Crumedy's more of a backup end than a nose at only 305, right?

[CPcavedweller]

The front 7 isn’t bad. 
 

We need to draft Tyler Warren. 
 

that’s my takeaway.