Panthers projected depth chart entering 2026 training camp
· Yahoo Sports
The Carolina Panthers are now to filing back into Charlotte for 2026 training camp. Rookies are set to report today, with veterans following up on Wednesday.
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As is the case every year, the team's summer workouts will feature numerous position battles. Players will jockey for roles up and down the pecking order in hopes of securing their spot on the initial 53-man roster.
But before the competitions begin, let's take a look at our projected depth chart at the start of camp . . .
Quarterback
- First string: Bryce Young
- Second string: Kenny Pickett
- Third string: Haynes King
Following the retirement of 31-year-old Will Grier, the Panthers are down to three passers.
Running back
- First string: Chuba Hubbard
- Second string: Jonathon Brooks
- Third string: Trevor Etienne
- Fourth string: AJ Dillon
- Fifth string: Anthony Tyus III
- Sixth string: Miles Davis
It may not be during the summer, but Brooks could overtake Hubbard atop the room in 2026.
Wide receiver
- First string: Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker
- Second string: David Moore, Chris Brazzell II, Jimmy Horn Jr.
- Third string: Brycen Tremayne, John Metchie III, Ainias Smith
- Fourth string: Dan Chisena, Ja'seem Reed, Kobe Prentice
- Fifth string: Malick Meiga
Legette might be hearing the footsteps of the speedy Brazzell, who opened quite a few eyes during spring workouts.
Tight end
- First string: Tommy Tremble
- Second string: Ja'Tavion Sanders
- Third string: Mitchell Evans
- Fourth string: Feleipe Franks
- Fifth string: James Mitchell
Despite calls for more production from the outside, Carolina seems content with what they have in their tight end group.
Left tackle
- First string: Rasheed Walker
- Second string: Monroe Freeling
- Third string: Isaia Glass
- Injured/out indefinitely: Ikem Ekwonu
In what should be the biggest battle of camp, Walker will match up against Freeling to take reins from an injured Ekwonu on the blindside. The former's veteran experience gives him the early edge over the 2026 first-round pick.
Left guard
- First string: Damien Lewis
- Second string: Brady Christensen
- Second string: Saahdiq Charles
- Third string: Joshua Gray
Christensen, who was signed this past Friday, fills the spot left vacant by Grier.
Center
- First string: Luke Fortner
- Second string: Sam Hecht
- Third string: Nick Samac
Like at left tackle, the starting center job will see a veteran (Fortner) take on a rookie (Hecht).
Right guard
- First string: Robert Hunt
- Second string: Chandler Zavala
- Third string: Ja'Tyre Carter
Hunt should be healthy following an injury-plagued 2025 campaign, where he missed 16 of the team's 18 total outings due to a biceps tear.
Right tackle
- First string: Taylor Moton
- Second string: Stone Forsythe
- Third string: Albert Reese
Moton is set to embark on his 10th NFL season, which might end up being his last in Carolina.
Defensive end
- First string: Derrick Brown, Lee Hunter
- Second string: LaBryan Ray, Jared Harrison-Hunte
- Third string: Aaron Hall, Tywone Malone Jr.
- Injured/out indefinitely: Tershawn Wharton
Who will step up during the anticipated absence of Wharton? Our early money is on the 2026 second-rounder in Hunter.
Defensive tackle
- First string: Bobby Brown III
- Second string: Cam Jackson
- Third string: Parker Petersen
Brown III, who didn't live up to expectations in the first season of his three-year, $21 million deal, could see some real competition from Jackson.
Outside linebacker
- First string: Jaelan Phillips, Nic Scourton
- Second string: Pat Jones II, Princely Umanmielen
- Third string: Trevis Gipson, Thomas Incoom
- Fourth string: Nick Hampton, Isaiah Smith
After signing the most lucrative pact for a free agent this offseason (four years, $120 million), Phillips will be counted on to revive what's been one of the league's weakest pass rushes.
Inside linebacker
- First string: Devin Lloyd, Trevin Wallace
- Second string: Claudin Cherelus, Bam Martin-Scott
- Third string: Jackson Kuwatch, Maema Njongmeta
- Fourth string: Mapalo Mwansa, Jared Bartlett
The Panthers also reeled in Lloyd, a first-time Pro Bowler in 2025, from the open market—on a three-year, $42 million agreement.
Cornerback
- First string: Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson, Corey Thornton
- Second string: Will Lee II, Akayleb Evans, Chau Smith-Wade
- Third string: Robert Rochell, Tyler Funderburk, Michael Reid
- Fourth string: Jaylon Guilbeau, Cam Miller, DeVonta Smith
With Horn and Jackson locking down the outside, the inside job at the slot may be up for grabs between Thornton and Smith-Wade.
Safety
- First string: Tre'von Moehrig, Nick Scott
- Second string: Lathan Ransom, Zakee Wheatley
- Third string: Isaiah Simmons, Demani Richardson
Scott should have the upper hand to start across from Moehrig. But don't count out Ransom or Wheatley from taking the job at some point.
Kicker
- First string: Ryan Fitzgerald
Fitzgerald was good on 24 of his 29 field goal attempts (82.8 percent) and 27 of his 30 extra point tries (90 percent) as a rookie.
Punter
- First string: Sam Martin
In 2025, Martin ranked 24th amongst all punters in net yards per attempt (40.5).
Long snapper
- First string: JJ Jansen
2026 will mark Jansen's 18th season in Carolina.
Kick returner
- First string: Trevor Etienne
- Second string: David Moore
- Third string: Jimmy Horn Jr.
Etienne led the Panthers with 31 kickoff returns in 2025.
Punt returner
- First string: Trevor Etienne
- Second string: David Moore
- Third string: Jimmy Horn Jr.
Etienne was also the primary punt returner with 20 attempts.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers projected depth chart entering 2026 training camp