Place battles to look at in Panthers coaching camp

NFL coaching camp season is nearly right here. The Panthers start their program with rookies reporting on July 19 at Financial institution of American Stadium in Charlotte, whereas veterans be a part of 4 days in a while the twenty third.

This is a have a look at three place battles that might be probably the most heated.

Working again

Projected starter: Chuba Hubbard

Gamers to look at: Jonathon Brooks, Rashaad Penny, Miles Sanders

Hubbard, a former Oklahoma State operating again, supplanted Sanders atop the group’s depth chart final yr. In his third NFL season, Hubbard out-gained Sanders on the bottom 902-432. Per NFL Subsequent Gen Stats, that is regardless of Sanders operating in opposition to eight-plus defenders within the field on 9.3 p.c of his carries versus Hubbard’s 19.3 p.c.

Hubbard ought to begin camp because the No. 1 operating again, whereas 2024 second-round choose Brooks and free-agent signing Penny might push Sanders even additional down the depth chart.

Brooks could even threaten Hubbard for the lead again position. He took over that place within the Texas backfield in 2023, dashing for 1,135 yards and 10 touchdowns on 187 carries. Brooks has the potential to be a do-it-all again, grading as one in all Professional Soccer Focus‘ high pass-blocking operating backs whereas additionally gaining 286 yards on 25 receptions. Per PFF knowledge, his 1.5 yards per route run ranked fifteenth amongst backs who obtained no less than 25 targets. 

Penny signed after a failed cease at Philadelphia. After gaining 1,951 yards and averaging 5.7 yards per try in 5 seasons with the Seahawks, Penny solely appeared in three video games for the Eagles in 2023, dashing 11 occasions and gaining 33 yards.

Vast receiver (11 personnel)

Projected starters: Diontae Johnson, Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen

Gamers to look at: Terrace Marshall Jr., Jonathan Mingo

Thielen, in his first season with the Panthers, was a safety blanket for rookie quarterback Bryce Younger, ending the season first in targets (137), receptions (103) and yards (1,014). The previous Viking wideout just lately admitted he skilled “The largest development I’ve ever had as an individual, as a participant, ever in my life. 

“I needed to verify myself on the door each single day as a result of issues weren’t simple, issues weren’t going easy.” 

He ought to be capable to return to the position he stuffed in Minnesota, first as a second choice to Stefon Diggs, then to Justin Jefferson. Whereas Johnson and Legette are usually not on the extent of Thielen’s All-Professional former teammates, they need to immediately slide in as starters in three-wide-receiver units.

Backups Marshall, 24, and Mingo, 23, struggled final season however might use the recent begin beneath head coach Dave Canales as a springboard to show round their younger careers. Marshall had 19 receptions for 139 yards (7.3 yards per try) in 2023, whereas Mingo was solely marginally higher with 43 receptions for 418 yards (9.7 yards per try) throughout his rookie yr.

Tight finish

Projected starter: Tommy Tremble

Gamers to look at: Ja’Tavion Sanders, Ian Thomas

A holdover from the Matt Rhule period, Tremble is coming into his fourth NFL season. Primarily a backup since being chosen No. 83 total within the 2021 NFL Draft, Tremble set career-highs in receptions (23) and yards (194) in 2023 whereas beginning eight occasions with 16 appearances total.

He supplanted Hayden Hurst because the No. 1 tight finish on the depth chart halfway by way of the season and may retain that position as Carolina enters camp.

Ian Thomas is coming into his seventh yr with the group and has been a gentle backup all through his profession. Tremble’s essential competitors would possibly come from rookie Ja’Tavion Sanders, Carolina’s fourth-round choose (No. 101 total) in April’s draft.

The previous Texas Longhorn had 45 receptions, 682 yards and two touchdowns in 2023. He ranked third amongst faculty tight ends in receiving yards. Per knowledge from PFF, he was among the many most dependable within the nation. He wasn’t credited with a drop in 67 targets, whereas he additionally made seven contested catches, tied for the seventh-most in NCAA amongst tight ends.