Panthers' projected depth chart heading into 2026 OTAs

May 25, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

The Carolina Panthers are set to begin organized team activities on Tuesday, marking the next step of their 2026 offseason. And thus far, the reigning NFC South champions are off to a good start in gearing up their title defense—thanks to big-time signings in free agency and yet another heralded draft class.

So, where have those additions left the team's pecking order at this point?

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Here, right before the start of OTAs, are our projections for the Panthers' current depth chart . . .

Quarterback

First string: Bryce Young
Second string: Kenny Pickett
Third string: Will Grier
Fourth string: Haynes King

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

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

Tight end

First string: Tommy Tremble
Second string: Ja'Tavion Sanders
Third string: Mitchell Evans
Fourth string: James Mitchell
Fifth string: Feleipe Franks
Sixth string: Heinrich Haarberg

Left tackle

First string: Rasheed Walker
Second string: Monroe Freeling
Third string: Isaia Glass
Injured/out indefinitely: Ikem Ekwonu

Left guard

First string: Damien Lewis
Second string: Saahdiq Charles
Third string: Joshua Gray

Center

First string: Luke Fortner
Second string: Sam Hecht
Third string: Nick Samac

Right guard

First string: Robert Hunt
Second string: Chandler Zavala
Third string: Ja'Tyre Carter

Right tackle

First string: Taylor Moton
Second string: Stone Forsythe
Third string: Albert Reese

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

Defensive tackle

First string: Bobby Brown III
Second string: Cam Jackson
Third string: Parker Petersen

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

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

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

Safety

First string: Tre'von Moehrig, Nick Scott
Second string: Lathan Ransom, Zakee Wheatley
Third string: Isaiah Simmons, Demani Richardson

Kicker

First string: Ryan Fitzgerald

Punter

First string: Sam Martin

Long snapper

First string: JJ Jansen

Kick returner

First string: Trevor Etienne
Second string: David Moore
Third string: Jimmy Horn Jr.

Punt returner

First string: Trevor Etienne
Second string: David Moore
Third string: Jimmy Horn Jr.

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers' projected depth chart heading into 2026 OTAs

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Panthers&#39; projected depth chart heading into 2026 OTAs