CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The Carolina Panthers open the 2023 NFL regular season at the Atlanta Falcons on Sept. 11 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Coach Frank Reich said during offseason workouts he really liked his roster, and that was before adding veteran Pro Bowl edge rusher Justin Houston to play opposite two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns.
But it all starts with quarterback Bryce Young, the top pick of the 2023 draft. As complete as Reich believes the roster is, Carolina will go only as far as the former Alabama star takes them. And the history of quarterbacks who were the No. 1 overall pick succeeding in their rookie season is not good.
The roster will be cut to 53 players by 4 p.m. ET on Tuesday. Here is a projection for the Panthers:
QUARTERBACKS (3): Bryce Young, Andy Dalton, Matt Corral
The only question here, since Young was named the starter on the first day of training camp, is will Corral make the roster? Since he's on the second year of a rookie deal that pays him $1.15 million in 2023, there's really no reason to cut him unless there's another position of great need, and currently there isn't.
RUNNING BACKS (3): Miles Sanders, Chuba Hubbard, Raheem Blackshear
The concern is health, as Sanders has been out since early in training camp with a groin injury and Hubbard injured an ankle in the second preseason game. So there is uncertainty for the opener even though Reich believes one or both will be ready. Reich also has the luxury of wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. being able to play running back in a Deebo Samuel-type role. That said, the injury situation that could open the door for power back Spencer Brown.
WIDE RECEIVERS (6): Adam Thielen, DJ Chark Jr., Jonathan Mingo, Terrace Marshall Jr., Laviska Shenault Jr., Derek Wright
Shi Smith is most vulnerable here, as the Panthers planned to keep only five receivers initially. But with Marshall (back) and Chark (hamstring) sidelined they'll have to expand that, and Wright appears to be the beneficiary. If Chark can't play in the opener, Thielen and the rookie Mingo are the clear-cut starters. Wright started Friday's third preseason game, a good sign for him.
TIGHT ENDS (4): Hayden Hurst, Tommy Tremble, Ian Thomas, Giovanni Ricci
Reich has said repeatedly how much he likes his tight end room. Leaving Stephen Sullivan out was tough. Ricci made it because he also can play fullback and H-back. Hurst appears poised for a breakout season in Reich's offense, which historically has leaned heavily on the tight ends. Tremble could be at risk if Carolina needs help at another position.
OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Ikem Ekwonu, Taylor Moton, Bradley Bozeman, Brady Christensen, Austin Corbett, Cade Mays, Cameron Erving., Chandler Zavala, Nash Jensen
There's one more here because Corbett (ACL surgery) won't be ready to start the season. So the question is who replaces him at right guard until he's ready? The rookie Zavala seems to have the inside track, but Carolina should keep Mays and Jensen just in case. The rest of the starting line (Ekwonu, Christenen, Bozeman and Moton) remains intact from last season.
DEFENSIVE LINE (5): Derrick Brown, Shy Tuttle, Henry Anderson, DeShawn Williams, Nick Thurman
Marquan McCall seemed like a sure-fire bet to make the team after starting the preseason opener. Then he was cut after the second preseason game. That opened the door for Thurman or somebody else. Look for general manager Scott Fitterer to keep an eye on the waiver list for an upgrade here.
LINEBACKERS (10): Brian Burns, Justin Houston, Marquis Haynes Sr., Shaq Thompson, Frankie Luvu, Yetur Gross-Matos, DJ Johnson, Deion Jones, Kamu Grugier-Hill, Amare Barno
This may seem like a lot, but not really in a 3-4 scheme. The outside linebacker spot opposite Burns will be by a committee of Houston, Haynes and Gross-Matos, with Luvu occasionally filling in. Some of them also will contribute heavily to special teams as linebackers almost always do.
CORNERBACKS (5): Jaycee Horn, Donte Jackson, CJ Henderson, Troy Hill, Keith Taylor
Jackson's ankle injury in the second preseason game has to be of some concern considering his injury history. When healthy, he and Horn are solid. Adding Hill gives Carolina some insurance. Henderson is in a prove-it year as a former first-round pick by Jacksonville, so he has quality starting experience as well.
SAFETIES (5): Vonn Bell, Xavier Woods, Jeremy Chinn, Jammie Robinson, Sam Franklin Jr.
A lot to like here, particularly with the versatile role Chinn will play as a hybrid safety, big nickel, linebacker and occasional corner. He'll be one of the keys to making this 3-4 scheme work, but don't discount Bell and Woods and their abilities as playmakers. Their experience will allow Robinson to grow into his role.
SPECIALISTS (3): P Johnny Hekker, K Eddy Pineiro, LS JJ Jansen
The only concern here is a groin injury that sidelined Pineiro for part of camp. Otherwise, this trio has the experience and talent to be one of the best group of specialists in the NFL.