The New Position Rooms

[MHS831]

I tend to process better when I write things out.  It is just my perspective on a given day as I see it.  In doing this, I was able to sorta figure out what the Panthers are doing and why.  For example, shorter QBs tend to struggle more in the red zone (I explain why) and Evero needs a particular type at S that is more akin to a strong safety than other teams might--and I provide the reason in his defense.  In doing this exercise, I was able to predict which UDFAs have a legitimate shot at the roster by identifying who it is they need to beat out.  In some cases, it is quite possible.   So I thought I would share.

WARNING: This is long and detailed.  You don't have to read it all in one setting or read it at all.  It is how I see it--not you--but I am interested in things you see that I may have missed.  Enjoy.

The Cornerback Room:  The current roster features Horn and Jackson on the outside and Smith-Wade at nickel.  Depth players (who played at the end of the season) are Bartholomew and Evans–both played OK when given the opportunity.  

It would seem that they like the depth at CB to some degree because they did not draft a CB. Furthermore, if you give weight to the visit and interest tracker, they listed one CB–Riley–a fourth round projection.  

However, they signed a CB from Louisville (Thornton) who played across from Riley, the player they showed interest in–giving him a signing bonus as an UDFA.

The Panthers also sighed Mike Reid, a tallish CB from South Dakota State.  

This tells me that they are somewhat satisfied by Evans and/or Bartholomew, but they possibly hoped to add a CB in the draft and didn’t, so they brought in some pretty decent UDFAs.  

This strongly suggests that center and right tackle will be priorities in 2026, assuming QB is not.

 

The Safety Room.  In Evero’s system, the safeties blitz a lot on early downs.  They must also have the ability to cover.  We have not really had the right kind of safeties here until now. 

 

 I expect Ransom and Moehrig to be the starters and Richardson to be the primary reserve.  

The Panthers signed some S UDFAs and it appears that the door is open for one of them to make the roster.Trevion Thomas (Ark St) and Isaac Gifford (Nebraska). (I am seeing different names on different lists).

 SS Gifford ran a 4.45 40, 36” vert, and a 3 cone of 6.92 with a 4.10 short shuttle.  He had 16 reps on the bench.  He seems to meet the criteria for an Evero Safety.  

Thomas had similar numbers, running a 4.49 and benching 225 16 times, but his 3 cone was 7.08 and his short shuttle was 4.38. FWIW.  

 

Based on this limited information and discounting roster fluidity, I would say Isaac Gifford has a genuine shot to earn a roster spot as a S.It is going to be fun to see how Evero’s defense looks different with some safeties who are smart, take good angles, and bring the lumber.

 

The Linebacker Room. Perhaps they felt that adding Rosenboom was sufficient, with Jewell and Wallace playing fairly well in 2024.  Fighting for the fourth roster spot are Claudin Cherelus, Jacoby Windmon, or John Rattigan, along with 2 (from different UDFA reporting sites) undrafted free agents signed after the draft.

Linebacker Tuasivi Nomura (USC, Fresno State) signed with the Carolina Panthers, In 2024, he started all 13 games and led the team with 110 total tackles, the most by a Bulldog since 2019. Pro day: 4.62 time in the 40 and, 21 bench press reps, At 6’1”, 225, he is smallish.

Bam Martin-Scott (South Carolina) is 6’2” and 235.He ran a 4.63 40.  22 reps on the bench. A sixth-year player, he is a bit older.

 

Not much to say here. Jewell is the only ILB who seems to make a difference, but with the abysmal DT/DE play in 2024, it is almost unfair to evaluate Wallace.  Rhattigan had the highest PFF score (84) but played defense rarely; Cherelus was probably the best backup (63 PFF) and younger Windmon (50 PFF).  It is my opinion, unless Martin-Scott knocks some socks off, the Linebacker position will remain as it is after signing Rosenboom.  I might add, with the S blitzing on early downs and the DL being much better, that the ILB performance should improve.

 

The Edge/OLB Room: This just got interesting but I do not think it is that difficult to figure out. 

 

Wonnum, (28) for the past 3 seasons here and in Minnesota, is on an 8-sack per season pace. Last season he had 4 sacks in 8 games played.  Cutting him would save $6m, so it is my view that he is a bargain. He is, however, a free agent in 2026.  

Clowney, (32) has underperformed throughout his career.  At best, he is a situational pass rusher, in my opinion. Cutting him saves nearly $8m. He has a good contract for someone who might need a one-year stop gap, so they are trying to trade him.  He had 6 sacks and 28 tackles last year.  I don’t think he will be on the roster in 2025.

Patrick Jones (26) II had 7 sacks in Minnesota with only 19 tackles.  He is on the books through 2026.  He should be a key reserve.

Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen should take over the position I expect Clowney to vacate.  I am confident that they can combine to match his 6 sacks.  I see them both on the field during some situations.

Barno and Johnson may be offered a PS spot, but I do not anticipate seeing them on the active roster. 

 

Based on tea leaves, I see Clowney, Barno, and DJ Johnson gone.  Wonnum will be backed by Jones and Scourton will be backed by Princely.  I see situations in which Jones or Scourton moves inside and Princely lines up in a 9 technique.

 

The Defensive Line Room:  The Achilles’ heel in 2025.  I was shocked to see them re-signing Ray and Tuttle–it pissed me off.  Ray (signing a minimum deal) can be cut at no loss, but Tuttle’s contract is for one year at $6m; To me, that is a strange, stupid move, but I have a theory.

 

A lot of this is speculation because I do not know how they are going to be used.  However, one thing is for sure:  Derrick Brown will be playing one of the DE spots and I am confident Wharton will play the other.  A. Robinson becomes a key reserve DE.

NT will be handled by Bobby Brown III and his backup will be 5th round NT Cam Jackson. This is significant because Tuttle was the NT in 2024 and got abused.  His PFF run defense grade was 33.5.  So why did the Panthers give him $6m for 2025?

Shy Tuttle, in my opinion, will be the 4th DE and could be put at Nose for passing situations. He gives them versatility and depth.  I still do not like bringing Tuttle back, but if he was out of position, that could explain a lot.

 

Evero’s love for small NTs seems to have ended. Bobby Brown III is 325 and Cam Jackson is 328.  Expect the defensive line to get better pressure on the QB and stop the run too.  Imagine that.

 

The Offensive Line Room: With Ekwonu getting his fifth-year extension and Moton apparently not in critical condition for his knees, the Panthers seem set for 2025. However, this draft did not address the fact that: 

Moton, Nijman and Christensen, all around 30 years of age, will be playing on expiring contracts.   BC is respectable, but his pass blocking is a bit suspect.  Nijman’s pass blocking is adequate and his run blocking is worse.

They signed undrafted free agent Mike Tarquin as an UDFA, and it would seem he has a decent shot at making the Practice Squad.   

I doubt the Panthers extend Moton, Nijman or BC, unless Moton’s knee issues are behind him, which is fairly rare for a big man. 

At Center, Mays and Corbett are playing on expiring contracts as well.  

At Guard, Zavala, Kingston, Lewis and Hunt return for 2026.

 

The Running Back Room.  It is not really complicated.  We have three good RBs (Hubbard, Dowdle, Etienne), four if you count IR (Brooks). Dowdle is a one-year deal, and maybe Brooks will come back in 2026–we’d still have 3, and Blackshear on a one-year deal. We did (for some reason) sign UDFA Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams, fwiw. His best hope is a spot on the PS.

 

The Tight End Room:  Not much to say here either.  Tremble, the blocking TE, Sanders, the receiving TE, and fifth round draft pick Evans, the in-line TE with pass catching skills that surpass those of Tremble. In my view, the Panthers will use some 2 TE sets, especially if our OTs are struggling and we want to run it.  No Tight Ends were signed as UDFA.

 

The Wide Receiver Room:  Oh my.  This went from a room with a white, middle-aged, undrafted, Minnesota State product, a horse-riding black cowboy from the outback of South Carolina who underperformed in his rookie season, an UDFA from Holy Cross who was cut and put on the practice squad before starting, and a special teamer who has not caught many passes in a half decade. 

Tet McMillan changed a lot. Not only did the Panthers add an X receiver, it allows XL to face DBs covering the Z or #2 WR.  Furthermore, if you consider that he is listed at 6’5”, he gives Young a better target in the red zone in that he is tall and he high points and plucks the ball like a basketball player snagging a rebound.  It can be more difficult for shorter quarterbacks to see in the red zone due to the increased density of players and the lack of space. Now consider that our new IN-LINE TE Evans is also 6’5”, we can show run and have tall targets in the red zone.  In 2023, red zone efficiency for Bryce and the Panthers was 50%.  By adding Guards, it improved to 62% in 2024.  By adding tall targets, it should improve again.

The roster now has four WRs who have the potential to be very productive.  Bryce has always succeeded when he has weapons and protection.  Coker will step into the slot role when AT retires.  Without doing anything else, we got much better by drafting the best WR in the draft and a very balanced, tall TE.

Then the Panthers took Jimmy Horn Jr. (Colorado). The 5-foot-8, 174-pound Horn ran a 4.46-second 40 at the combine, along with a 38-inch vertical and a 10-foot-8 broad jump. He averaged 10.3 yards per punt return last year for the Buffaloes and caught 37 passes for 441 yards and a touchdown. In 2023, he caught 58 passes for 567 yards and six touchdowns.  Horn gives them a different animal to put in the slot or to use on special teams. 

With six WRs on the roster, the depleted and rather sad WR group seems loaded. They then offered a significant bonus to Jacolby George, WR, Miami and Kobe Hudson from Central Florida.  Both, in my view, could be headed for the practice squad.

 

The room is suddenly very young and talented. Is David Moore a liability now?  I think so.  They could opt for his leadership, etc.  but that is overrated at times. If any of these UDFAs wants a spot on the roster, he better hope to beat out Horn or Moore and that the Panthers keep 6.

 

The Quarterback Room:  There seem to be a lot of careers riding on Bryce Young’s last 9 games.  I think I would want more than UCLA’s undrafted QB as my third teamer. Regardless, we have Bryce, Dalton, and some QB who will never see the field.

 

Conclusion:  I have some strong feelings that several UDFAs have a legit shot at making the roster.  They are:

 

Corey Thornton, CB Miami  (Persons he could beat out:  Evans or Bartholomew)

Mike Reid, CB SDSU   (Persons he could beat out:  Evans or Bartholomew)

Mike Tarquin OT Oklahoma (he needs to beat out:  Nijman)

Isaac Gifford S Nebraska (he needs to beat out: Nick Scott)

Bam Martin-Scott ILB South Carolina (he would have to beat out:  Claudin Cherelus, Jacoby Windmon, and John Rattigan)

Ryan Fitzgerald, K, Florida State (he simply needs to win the K competition in camp.  Getting Fitzgerald as an UDFA saves the Panthers a draft pick)

Edited 12 hours ago by MHS831

[jfra78]

8 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

I tend to process better when I write things out.  It is just my perspective on a given day as I see it.  In doing this, I was able to sorta figure out what the Panthers are doing and why.  For example, shorter QBs tend to struggle more in the red zone (I explain why) and Evero needs a particular type at S that is more akin to a strong safety than other teams might--and I provide the reason in his defense.  In doing this exercise, I was able to predict which UDFAs have a legitimate shot at the roster by identifying who it is they need to beat out.  In some cases, it is quite possible.   So I thought I would share.

WARNING: This is long and detailed.  You don't have to read it all in one setting or read it at all.  It is how I see it--not you--but I am interested in things you see that I may have missed.  Enjoy.

The Cornerback Room:  The current roster features Horn and Jackson on the outside and Smith-Wade at nickel.  Depth players (who played at the end of the season) are Bartholomew and Evans–both played OK when given the opportunity.  

• It would seem that they like the depth at CB to some degree because they did not draft a CB. Furthermore, if you give weight to the visit and interest tracker, they listed one CB–Riley–a fourth round projection.  

• However, they signed a CB from Louisville (Thornton) who played across from Riley, the player they showed interest in–giving him a signing bonus as an UDFA.

• The Panthers also sighed Mike Reid, a tallish CB from South Dakota State.  

This tells me that they are somewhat satisfied by Evans and/or Bartholomew, but they possibly hoped to add a CB in the draft and didn’t, so they brought in some pretty decent UDFAs.  

This strongly suggests that center and right tackle will be priorities in 2026, assuming QB is not.

 

The Safety Room.  In Evero’s system, the safeties blitz a lot on early downs.  They must also have the ability to cover.  We have not really had the right kind of safeties here until now. 

 

•  I expect Ransom and Moehrig to be the starters and Richardson to be the primary reserve.  

• The Panthers signed some S UDFAs and it appears that the door is open for one of them to make the roster.Trevion Thomas (Ark St) and Isaac Gifford (Nebraska). (I am seeing different names on different lists).

•  SS Gifford ran a 4.45 40, 36” vert, and a 3 cone of 6.92 with a 4.10 short shuttle.  He had 16 reps on the bench.  He seems to meet the criteria for an Evero Safety.  

• Thomas had similar numbers, running a 4.49 and benching 225 16 times, but his 3 cone was 7.08 and his short shuttle was 4.38. FWIW.  

 

Based on this limited information and discounting roster fluidity, I would say Isaac Gifford has a genuine shot to earn a roster spot as a S.It is going to be fun to see how Evero’s defense looks different with some safeties who are smart, take good angles, and bring the lumber.

 

The Linebacker Room. Perhaps they felt that adding Rosenboom was sufficient, with Jewell and Wallace playing fairly well in 2024.  Fighting for the fourth roster spot are Claudin Cherelus, Jacoby Windmon, or John Rattigan, along with 2 (from different UDFA reporting sites) undrafted free agents signed after the draft.

• Linebacker Tuasivi Nomura (USC, Fresno State) signed with the Carolina Panthers, In 2024, he started all 13 games and led the team with 110 total tackles, the most by a Bulldog since 2019. Pro day: 4.62 time in the 40 and, 21 bench press reps, At 6’1”, 225, he is smallish.

• Bam Martin-Scott (South Carolina) is 6’2” and 235.He ran a 4.63 40.  22 reps on the bench. A sixth-year player, he is a bit older.

 

Not much to say here. Jewell is the only ILB who seems to make a difference, but with the abysmal DT/DE play in 2024, it is almost unfair to evaluate Wallace.  Rhattigan had the highest PFF score (84) but played defense rarely; Cherelus was probably the best backup (63 PFF) and younger Windmon (50 PFF).  It is my opinion, unless Martin-Scott knocks some socks off, the Linebacker position will remain as it is after signing Rosenboom.  I might add, with the S blitzing on early downs and the DL being much better, that the ILB performance should improve.

 

The Edge/OLB Room: This just got interesting but I do not think it is that difficult to figure out. 

 

• Wonnum, (28) for the past 3 seasons here and in Minnesota, is on an 8-sack per season pace. Last season he had 4 sacks in 8 games played.  Cutting him would save $6m, so it is my view that he is a bargain. He is, however, a free agent in 2026.  

• Clowney, (32) has underperformed throughout his career.  At best, he is a situational pass rusher, in my opinion. Cutting him saves nearly $8m. He has a good contract for someone who might need a one-year stop gap, so they are trying to trade him.  He had 6 sacks and 28 tackles last year.  I don’t think he will be on the roster in 2025.

• Patrick Jones (26) II had 7 sacks in Minnesota with only 19 tackles.  He is on the books through 2026.  He should be a key reserve.

• Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen should take over the position I expect Clowney to vacate.  I am confident that they can combine to match his 6 sacks.  I see them both on the field during some situations.

• Barno and Johnson may be offered a PS spot, but I do not anticipate seeing them on the active roster. 

 

Based on tea leaves, I see Clowney, Barno, and DJ Johnson gone.  Wonnum will be backed by Jones and Scourton will be backed by Princely.  I see situations in which Jones or Scourton moves inside and Princely lines up in a 9 technique.

 

The Defensive Line Room:  The Achilles’ heel in 2025.  I was shocked to see them re-signing Ray and Tuttle–it pissed me off.  Ray (signing a minimum deal) can be cut at no loss, but Tuttle’s contract is for one year at $6m; To me, that is a strange, stupid move, but I have a theory.

 

• A lot of this is speculation because I do not know how they are going to be used.  However, one thing is for sure:  Derrick Brown will be playing one of the DE spots and I am confident Wharton will play the other.  A. Robinson becomes a key reserve DE.

• NT will be handled by Bobby Brown III and his backup will be 5th round NT Cam Jackson. This is significant because Tuttle was the NT in 2024 and got abused.  His PFF run defense grade was 33.5.  So why did the Panthers give him $6m for 2025?

• Shy Tuttle, in my opinion, will be the 4th DE and could be put at Nose for passing situations. He gives them versatility and depth.  I still do not like bringing Tuttle back, but if he was out of position, that could explain a lot.

 

Evero’s love for small NTs seems to have ended. Bobby Brown III is 325 and Cam Jackson is 328.  Expect the defensive line to get better pressure on the QB and stop the run too.  Imagine that.

 

The Offensive Line Room: With Ekwonu getting his fifth-year extension and Moton apparently not in critical condition for his knees, the Panthers seem set for 2025. However, this draft did not address the fact that: 

• Moton, Nijman and Christensen, all around 30 years of age, will be playing on expiring contracts.   BC is respectable, but his pass blocking is a bit suspect.  Nijman’s pass blocking is adequate and his run blocking is worse.

• They signed undrafted free agent Mike Tarquin as an UDFA, and it would seem he has a decent shot at making the Practice Squad.   

• I doubt the Panthers extend Moton, Nijman or BC, unless Moton’s knee issues are behind him, which is fairly rare for a big man. 

• At Center, Mays and Corbett are playing on expiring contracts as well.  

• At Guard, Zavala, Kingston, Lewis and Hunt return for 2026.

 

The Running Back Room.  It is not really complicated.  We have three good RBs (Hubbard, Dowdle, Etienne), four if you count IR (Brooks). Dowdle is a one-year deal, and maybe Brooks will come back in 2026–we’d still have 3, and Blackshear on a one-year deal. We did (for some reason) sign UDFA Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams, fwiw. His best hope is a spot on the PS.

 

The Tight End Room:  Not much to say here either.  Tremble, the blocking TE, Sanders, the receiving TE, and fifth round draft pick Evans, the in-line TE with pass catching skills that surpass those of Tremble. In my view, the Panthers will use some 2 TE sets, especially if our OTs are struggling and we want to run it.  No Tight Ends were signed as UDFA.

 

The Wide Receiver Room:  Oh my.  This went from a room with a white, middle-aged, undrafted, Minnesota State product, a horse-riding black cowboy from the outback of South Carolina who underperformed in his rookie season, an UDFA from Holy Cross who was cut and put on the practice squad before starting, and a special teamer who has not caught many passes in a half decade. 

• Tet McMillan changed a lot. Not only did the Panthers add an X receiver, it allows XL to face DBs covering the Z or #2 WR.  Furthermore, if you consider that he is listed at 6’5”, he gives Young a better target in the red zone in that he is tall and he high points and plucks the ball like a basketball player snagging a rebound.  It can be more difficult for shorter quarterbacks to see in the red zone due to the increased density of players and the lack of space. Now consider that our new IN-LINE TE Evans is also 6’5”, we can show run and have tall targets in the red zone.  In 2023, red zone efficiency for Bryce and the Panthers was 50%.  By adding Guards, it improved to 62% in 2024.  By adding tall targets, it should improve again.

• The roster now has four WRs who have the potential to be very productive.  Bryce has always succeeded when he has weapons and protection.  Coker will step into the slot role when AT retires.  Without doing anything else, we got much better by drafting the best WR in the draft and a very balanced, tall TE.

• Then the Panthers took Jimmy Horn Jr. (Colorado). The 5-foot-8, 174-pound Horn ran a 4.46-second 40 at the combine, along with a 38-inch vertical and a 10-foot-8 broad jump. He averaged 10.3 yards per punt return last year for the Buffaloes and caught 37 passes for 441 yards and a touchdown. In 2023, he caught 58 passes for 567 yards and six touchdowns.  Horn gives them a different animal to put in the slot or to use on special teams. 

• With six WRs on the roster, the depleted and rather sad WR group seems loaded. They then offered a significant bonus to Jacolby George, WR, Miami and Kobe Hudson from Central Florida.  Both, in my view, could be headed for the practice squad.

 

The room is suddenly very young and talented. Is David Moore a liability now?  I think so.  They could opt for his leadership, etc.  but that is overrated at times. If any of these UDFAs wants a spot on the roster, he better hope to beat out Horn or Moore and that the Panthers keep 6.

 

The Quarterback Room:  There seem to be a lot of careers riding on Bryce Young’s last 9 games.  I think I would want more than UCLA’s undrafted QB as my third teamer. Regardless, we have Bryce, Dalton, and some QB who will never see the field.

 

Conclusion:  I have some strong feelings that several UDFAs have a legit shot at making the roster.  They are:

 

• Corey Thornton, CB Miami  (Persons he could beat out:  Evans or Bartholomew)

• Mike Reid, CB SDSU   (Persons he could beat out:  Evans or Bartholomew)

• Mike Tarquin OT Oklahoma (he needs to beat out:  Nijman)

• Isaac Gifford S Nebraska (he needs to beat out: Nick Scott)

• Bam Martin-Scott ILB South Carolina (he would have to beat out:  Claudin Cherelus, Jacoby Windmon, and John Rattigan)

• Ryan Fitzgerald, K, Florida State (he simply needs to win the K competition in camp.  Getting Fitzgerald as an UDFA saves the Panthers a draft pick)

Nice write up, does the basketball TE have a place on the team?

[BrianS]

10 minutes ago, jfra78 said:

Nice write up, does the basketball TE have a place on the team?

No.  But he has a chance to get stuck on the practice squad if he looks like he might have a future in the preseason.  When you sign a guy like that, it's really all you can hope for.

[ColumbusCounty]

23 minutes ago, jfra78 said:

Nice write up, does the basketball TE have a place on the team?

Jordan Matthews as well

[Basbear]

I knew it was pointless to ask MHS for a roster evalue, he already had it done!!

Edited 10 hours ago by Basbear

[MHS831]

2 hours ago, jfra78 said:

Nice write up, does the basketball TE have a place on the team?

I forgot about him.  Second edition forthcoming.

[MHS831]

44 minutes ago, Basbear said:

I knew it was pointless to ask MHS for a roster evalue, he already had it done!!

I can't comprehend it all unless I do this.  I have to see it. So I just thought I would share it.  You should see the bulletin boards in my dungeon.

[TheSpecialJuan]

Terrific write-up, great analysis 

[Aussie Tank]

Add in Hunter Renfrow 

Edited 9 hours ago by Aussie Tank

[Basbear]

7 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

I can't comprehend it all unless I do this.  I have to see it. So I just thought I would share it.  You should see the bulletin boards in my dungeon.

about 42 minutes after the draft, my roster brain kicked in(just like past years). I even thought- " I need to ask HMS to do a waaaaaay too early 53 roster, *so* I can copy your template with a few changes". But you went with words and killerkat got his stolen!!

Nice to have fellow sicko fans!!!