CHARLOTTE, N. C. -- The Carolina Panthers' 2025 training camp runs Tuesday to Aug. 14 at the team's practice facility in Charlotte.
Much of the offseason was spent on upgrading the league's worst defense from 2024. It started with signing free agent linemen Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown Jr., and adding edge rusher Pat Jones II to replace Jadeveon Clowney.
But there also was an emphasis in making sure quarterback Bryce Young takes the next step after the top pick of the 2023 draft had a strong finish to last season. General manager Dan Morgan used the No. 8 pick of this year's draft on Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan to pair with 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette and made sure the offensive line stayed intact.
Here's a closer look at what we are watching at camp -- and a 53-man roster projection:
Will Young build on momentum?
Taking steps to fix the defense was huge, but the Panthers' overall success hinges on Young picking up where he left off last season. McMillan will give him a big (6-5, 212) and sure-handed target.
Even without consistent weapons last season, Young had 20 touchdowns over the final 10 games. He was most impressive the final three outings with seven touchdown passes to no interceptions, completing 64.8 percent of his attempts for a 111.6 passer rating. He also had three rushing TDs. That needs to continue.
Three players to watch
WR Xavier Legette: Young needs Legette to be more consistent after a rookie season marred by a 14.0 drop percentage that ranked third-worst in the league. The biggest drop was a potential game-winner against eventual Super Bowl champ Philadelphia. He worked this offseason on catching the ball more with his hands than his body. The rookie McMillan is challenging him to be better, too.
LT Ikem Ekwonu: Ekwonu improved from 11 sacks allowed in 2023 to seven last season and his pressure allowed improved to 39 from 44. But Carolina still had enough concerns to consider drafting a tackle in the first round and didn't exercise the fifth-year option on Ekwonu until after the draft. This is a big year for him.
DT Bobby Brown III: Carolina was horrid against the run in 2024, giving up a league-worst 179.8 yards a game. The return of Pro Bowl DE Derrick Brown, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 1, will help. Bobby Brown (6-foot-4, 332 pounds) will help everyone with his ability to take up blockers.
Key position battles
Outside linebacker: Starters Clowney and D.J. Wonnum combined for only 9.5 sacks last season, although Wonnum (4) didn't begin playing until midseason due to injury. Pat Jones II will get the first shot to replace Clowney. He is coming off a career-best seven sacks with the Vikings despite playing only 15 games with one start. Carolina hopes to create a nice rotation with rookies Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen, selected in the second and third rounds, respectively. It wouldn't be a surprise if one of them plays well enough to start.
Center: Austin Corbett and Cade Mays will battle it out. Corbett is the early leader because of experience, but injuries have shortened each of his past two seasons. Mays took over in Week 8 last season and played well, particularly in pass blocking with a 74.9 rating, which ranked among the top 10 centers in the league.
Safety: Free agent signee Tre'von Moehrig owns one spot after a strong 2024 season for the Las Vegas Raiders. The other will come down to fourth-round pick Lathan Ransom (Ohio State), 2024 undrafted free agent Demani Richardson or Nick Scott, known more for his special teams ability. Don't rule out another player being brought in here.
Keep an eye on: The tight end position
Specifically, Tommy Tremble's recovery from back surgery. He is expected to begin training camp in rehab, leaving the initial competition between 2024 fourth-round pick Ja'Tavion Sanders and 2025 fifth-round pick Mitchell Evans. This position has been in flux since 2019, the last year Pro Bowler Greg Olsen was on the roster. If one or two of them steps up, it would add another layer of help for Young to continue his growth.
53-man roster prediction
QUARTERBACKS (2): Bryce Young, Andy Dalton
RUNNING BACKS (4): Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle, Trevor Etienne, Raheem Blackshear
WIDE RECEIVERS (7): Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen, Jalen Coker, Jimmy Horn Jr., David Moore, Hunter Renfrow
TIGHT ENDS (4): Tommy Tremble, Ja'Tavion Sanders, Mitchell Evans, Dominique Dafney
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (9): Ikem Ekwonu, Damien Lewis, Robert Hunt, Austin Corbett, Cade Mays, Taylor Moton, Yosh Nijman, Brady Christensen, Chandler Zavala.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (7): Derrick Brown, Bobby Brown III, Tershawn Wharton, A'Shawn Robinson, Shy Tuttle, Cam Jackson , Jaden Crumedy
LINEBACKERS (8): D.J. Wonnum, Pat Jones II, Princely Umanmielen, Nic Scourton, Josey Jewell, Christian Rozeboom, Trevin Wallace, Claudin Cherelus
CORNERBACKS (5): Jaycee Horn, Michael Jackson, Chau Smith-Wade, Shemar Bartholomew, M.J. Devonshire
SAFTIES (4): Tre'von Moehrig, Nick Scott, Demani Richardson, Lathan Ransom
SPECIALISTS (3): K Ryan Fitzgerald, P Sam Martin, LS JJ Jansen