CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers open training camp on July 24 at the team’s facility at Wofford College in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Here’s a 53-man roster projection:
QUARTERBACKS (3): Cam Newton, Will Grier, Taylor Heinicke
The only question besides Newton’s right shoulder is if the third quarterback will be Heinicke or Kyle Allen. I'm going with Heinicke based on his experience in Norv Turner’s offense, but it easily could be Allen.
RUNNING BACK (3): Christian McCaffrey, Jordan Scarlett, Cameron Artis-Payne
The search for a back who can do most of the things McCaffrey can as a receiver and runner continues. It didn’t happen in free agency or the draft. This will allow Artis-Payne, a good blocker who is familiar with the system, to beat undrafted rookie Elijah Holyfield.
FULLBACKS (1): Alex Armah
Armah's versatility as a blocker and receiver makes this an obvious choice.
WIDE RECEIVERS (6): DJ Moore, Curtis Samuel, Chris Hogan, Jarius Wright, Torrey Smith, Rashad Ross
Smith makes the cut because he took a $2 million pay cut during the offseason, and his veteran leadership still is a plus. The questions are whether the Panthers will keep five or six receivers and if Ross is the sixth.
TIGHT ENDS (3): Greg Olsen, Ian Thomas, Chris Manhertz
Olsen is looking to reestablish himself as one of the league’s top tight ends after two injury-plagued seasons. Thomas is a rising star who gives Turner the flexibility to play a lineup with two legitimate receiving tight ends.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (9): G Trai Turner, C Matt Paradis, T Greg Little, T Taylor Moton, T Daryl Williams, C-G Tyler Larsen, G-C Greg Van Roten, T Taylor Hearn, G Dennis Daley
The team kept 10 linemen a year ago because of injuries. Barring a repeat and with the position flexibility much of this group has, that shouldn’t be necessary. Whether second-round pick Little can be the starting left tackle is the key to success here.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (6): Gerald McCoy, Kawann Short, Dontari Poe, Kyle Love, Vernon Butler, Efe Obada
The move to a 3-4 front means there will be two fewer linemen than a year ago. The last spot could come down to Obada and Bryan Cox Jr. There’s a chance that both could make it, as Carolina will continue to use some 4-3 alignments, but that would mean playing light at linebacker.
LINEBACKERS (10): Luke Kuechly, Shaq Thompson, Bruce Irvin, Brian Burns, Mario Addison, Marquis Haynes, Christian Miller, Jared Norris, Jermaine Carter, Andre Smith
The 3-4 means more linebackers to rotate and keep fresh and to play special teams. This group has a chance, anchored by Kuechly and Thompson in the middle, to be as good as any in the NFL.
SECONDARY (9): S Eric Reid, S Rashaan Gaulden, S Colin Jones, S Cole Luke; CB James Bradberry, CB Donte Jackson, CB Corn Elder, CB Ross Cockrell, CB Lorenzo Doss
There will likely be more turnover after training camp begins with this group than with any other position, particularly free safety if Gaulden doesn’t take charge. Cockrell might be a reach because he is coming off major surgery to repair a broken leg, so don’t be surprised by turnover at corner.
SPECIALISTS (3): K Graham Gano, P Michael Palardy, DS J.J. Jansen
Since the end of the past season, there hasn’t been a doubt that these would be the specialists.