Training camp begins today, and everyone is anxious for the players to take the field. There will be a lot of training camp battles for only a few open spots. Obviously, there will be other players brought in after cuts and injuries, but this article will revolve around cutting the current 90-man roster down to 53.
QB
Cam Newton
Will Grier
Kyle Allen
Taylor Heinicke
Explanation– Heinecke is a good backup, but it’s a toss up between him and Allen. I went with the guy I thought would be a better emergency quarterback. Also, with the team putting more emphasis on having a contingency plan in case Cam gets hurt, I feel they’ll keep three QBs instead of two.
RB
Christian McCaffrey
Jordan Scarlett
Elijah Holyfield
Cameron Artis-Payne
Reggie Bonnafon
Explanation– The easy pick would be Artis-Payne as the back up and Scarlett as the RB3, but I feel like they’ll keep Scarlett due to his upside as a bruiser (and lower contract) and Holyfield because he has a similar skill set to CMC. If they put either of those players on the practice squad, they’d be snatched up.
FB
Alex Armah
Explanation– Keeping Armah will pay dividends in the run game.
WR
DJ Moore
Curtis Samuel
Jarius Wright
Torrey Smith
Chris Hogan
Jaydon Mickens
Aldrick Robinson
DeAndrew White
Rashad Ross
Andre Levrone
Damion Jeanpiere
Terry Godwin
Explanation– I picked our top five receivers and a returner. It was a toss up between Mickens, Robinson and Ross. I chose Mickens due to his explosive return game. I also believe that Terry Godwin will end up on the practice squad and develop into a nice slot receiver for the future.
TE
Greg Olsen
Ian Thomas
Chris Manhertz
Ethan Wolf
Jason Vander Laan
Cole Hunt
Temarrick Hemingway
Marcus Baugh
Explanation– This is an easy one. Keeping Manhertz as the third tight end, mirrors what they’ve done every year. Keeping Manhertz as a blocker will have a ton of benefits for the offense. We know he can catch passes from McCaffrey too.
OT
Greg Little
Taylor Moton
Daryl Williams
Dillon Gordon
Dennis Daley
Explanation– This could look a little different if Little wins the left tackle spot (like we all hope) and they move Williams inside. If Williams moves inside, I think Daley stays on the roster. If not, he will go to the practice squad.
C
Matt Paradis
Tyler Larsen
Parker Collins
Explanation– Just keeping the top two centers. Carolina loves Larsen’s versatility as well.
OG
Trai Turner
Greg Van Roten
Kitt O’Brien
Dorian Johnson
Norman Price
Kofi Amichia
Brandon Greene
Taylor Hearn
Explanation– This will look a little different if Williams moves to the inside. If he does, I think Dorian Johnson will be gone.
DE
Mario Addison
Bruce Irvin
Efe Obada
Marquis Haynes
Brian Cox
Explanation– It was a toss up between Haynes and Cox, but Haynes fits in the 3-4 scheme better than Cox. Also, Efe Obada bulked up so he can move inside when needed. Sorry Brian!
DT
Kawann Short
Dontari Poe
Gerald McCoy
Kyle Love
Vernon Butler
Woodrow Hamilton
Bijhon Jackson
Destiny Vaeao
Explanation– Going with the top five players here, and they have the most versatility. McCoy, Short and Butler would be a good rotation at DE in the 3-4 sets, too. This whole defense looks very talented.
LB
Brian Burns
Luke Kuechly
Shaq Thompson
Jermaine Carter
Jared Norris
Christian Miller
Andre Smith
Jordan Kunaszyk
Jonathan Celestin
Brandon Chubb
Sione Teuhema
Antoine Williams
Explanation– Christian Miller is a first round talent and I believe he will beat out Andre Smith for this roster spot. I also believe he will get plenty of opportunities to prove himself this year. Jermaine Carter will thrive more in this defensive scheme than last years.
CB
James Bradberry
Donte Jackson
Javien Elliott
Ross Cockrell
Kevon Seymour
Corn Elder
Cole Luke
Lorenzo Doss
Josh Thornton
Explanation– Sorry, Miami fans. Corn just didn’t make the cut. When given the opportunities last season, Corn struggled. It’s possible that he figures the game out this year, but he better hurry. Seymour and Cockrell are coming back from injury, and that gives us great depth at a position where we need it.
S
Eric Reid
Rashaan Gaulden
Colin Jones
Quin Blanding
Corion Ballard
Kia Nacua
Damian Parms
Explanation– Jones is a special teams ace and an above average (barely) safety. Blanding was my dark horse pick to make the 53-man roster in my article “The Guys That No One is Talking About” and I still feel that way. The guy is a tackling machine, and I dont feel like any other safety on the roster can beat him out of that last spot.
K
Graham Gano
P
Michael Palardy
LS
JJ Jansen
Again, this could change based on training camp battles, injuries and transactions. However, this is how I feel that the roster will shake out after the smoke clears. Be on the lookout for an article before cuts, that gives my “Post-Training Camp” roster predictions. #KeepPounding #4MR #WhatARush
By: Norris Thornburg July 25, 2019
