Predicting the Panthers Post-53 Depth Chart

The Carolina Panthers have finalized the first iteration of their 53-man roster for the 2025 season. After trading wide receiver Adam Thielen and claiming wide receiver Dalevon Campbell and defensive back Damarri Mathis, the Panthers now look toward their Week 1 matchup against Jacksonville. Here is how I could see them lining up.

Offense

Quaterback

• Bryce Young
• Andy Dalton

No surprises here. This is likely Bryce’s last chance to silence the critics, and he’s been put in a good spot to succeed.

Runningback

• Chuba Hubbard
• Rico Dowdle
• Trevor Etienne

Another straightforward position group with Hubbard and Dowdle as the main bell cows. Etienne is a nice change of pace guy but won’t get too many touches.

X Receiver

• Tetairoa McMillan
• David Moore
• Dalevon Campbell

The X receiver is the number one guy who is often alone on one side of the field. While McMillan can (and likely will) move around, this is where I picture him most often. Campbell also has the prototypical X receiver frame.

Z Receiver

• Xavier Legette
• Brycen Tremayne

With McMillan taking the X receiver reps, Legette can now become the de facto Z receiver out wide but not alone on that side of the field. This will allow him to use the other receiver(s) on that side to help get open against man and zone.

Y Receiver

• Jalen Coker
• Jimmy Horn Jr

Jalen Coker should line up in the Adam Thielen role and perform quite well there. Bryce has good chemistry with the second year receiver who showed a ton of potential in the slot last season. Horn could also be a gimmick play slot guy.

Tight End

• Ja’Tavion Sanders
• Tommy Tremble
• Mitchell Evans
• James Mitchell

My guess is they ease Tremble back into the fray since he’s recovering from back surgery. Once he’s ready to go full bore, James Mitchell may be cut. In the meantime, he does provide more of the power tight end style compared to Sanders and Evans who are more finesse tight ends.

Left Tackle

• Ikem Ekwonu
• Brady Christensen*

Same as last year. Nothing else to say really. Christensen is likely the first guy off the bench for four or five of the offensive line spots should someone get hurt.

Left Guard

• Damien Lewis
• Chandler Zavala*

If the Panthers want to keep Christensen at tackle, then Zavala will likely get the nod at either guard position.

Center

• Austin Corbett
• Cade Mays

In a pinch, Mays could also be a backup at either guard spot.

Right Guard

• Robert Hunt
• Chandler Zavala*

Again, Zavala could be the guard called on to plug into either side of the line when needed.

Right Tackle

• Taylor Moton
• Brady Christensen*
• Yosh Nijman

I really hope Christensen would be the one to replace Moton if needed. Christensen is a...