Panthers’ first depth chart for 2025 signals who’s rising and who’s falling

You know we're inching closer to the start of a brand new season when the Carolina Panthers release their first depth chart of the year. The team posted their initial depth chart for 2025 on Tuesday night, a few days ahead of the preseason opener against the Cleveland Browns.

The Depth Chart

OFFENSE

Aug 2, 2025; Charlottle, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) during Fanfest at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images | Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

QB: Bryce Young, Andy Dalton, Jack Plummer

RB: Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle, Trevor Etienne, Raheem Blackshear, Emani Bailey, Kayron Lynch-Adams

WR: Tetairoa McMillan, David Moore, Brycen Tremayne, Ja’seem Reed

WR: Adam Thielen, Hunter Renfrow, Jacolby George

WR: Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, Jimmy Horn Jr., Kobe Hudson, T.J. Luther

TE: Ja’Tavion Sanders, Mitchell Evans, James Mitchell, Bryce Pierre, Tyler Mabry, Dominique Dafney

LT: Ikem Ekwonu, Brady Christensen, Michael Tarquin

LG: Damien Lewis, Chandler Zavala, Brandon Walton

C: Austin Corbett, Cade Mays, Luke Kandra, Steven Losoya

RG: Robert Hunt, Ja’Tyre Carter, Jarrett Kingston

RT: Taylor Moton, Yosh Nijman

DEFENSE

Aug 24, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Carolina Panthers defensive end Derrick Brown (95) enters the field before a pre-season game against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

OLB: Patrick Jones II, Princely Umanmielen, Thomas Incoom, Boogie Basham

DE: A’Shawn Robinson, Tershawn Wharton, Jared Harrison-Hunte

DT: Bobby Brown III, Shy Tuttle, Sam Roberts, Cam Jackson

DE: Derrick Brown, LaBryan Ray, Jaden Crumedy

OLB: D.J. Wonnum, Nic Scourton, D.J. Johnson, J.J. Weaver

ILB: Trevin Wallace, Claudin Cherelus, Bam Martin-Scott, Mapalo Mwansa

ILB: Christian Rozeboom, Jacoby Windmon, Jon Rhattigan, Krys Barnes

CB: Mike Jackson, Akayleb Evans, Michael Reid, JaTravis Broughton, Mello Dotson

CB:Jaycee Horn, Chau Smith-Wade, Shemar Bartholomew, Corey Thornton, Tre Swilling, Trevian Thomas

S: Tre’von Moehrig, Demani Richardson, Isaac Gifford

S: Nick Scott, Lathan Ransom, Jack Henderson

SPECIAL TEAMS

KR: Raheem Blackshear, Rico Dowdle, David Moore, Trevor Etienne, Jimmy Horn Jr.

PR: Raheem Blackshear, Hunter Renfrow, David Moore, Trevor Etienne, Jimmy Horn Jr.

LS: JJ Jansen

P: Sam Martin

K: Matthew Wright, Ryan Fitzgerald

Who's rising

RB Trevor Etienne

Jul 26, 2025; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Trevor Etienne (23) walks to practice during training camp. Mandatory Credit: Scott Kinser-Imagn Images | Scott Kinser-Imagn Images

With Jonathon Brooks out for the season, Etienne has a real shot to be the No. 3 running back this fall, and that's where he starts. It wasn't all that surprising to see him listed here, given the start he's had, but still, it's a sign of how much this staff believes in him.

WR Hunter Renfrow

When the Panthers signed Renfrow, there was no guarantee that he would make the 53-man roster. After not playing last year, there were concerns that he would be a little rusty and would have an uphill battle in what has all of a sudden become a crowded receiver room. Naturally, Renfrow has impressed with his route-running ability and appears to be a lock on the 53.

Who's falling

RB Raheem Blackshear

This may be controversial, mainly because Blackshear is going to make the roster, be the fourth back, and have an impact on special teams. Having said that, coming in behind the rookie Etienne at running back on the depth chart shows his role in the backfield is going to be pretty limited. If he struggles in the return game, he could be replaced.

OLB DJ Johnson

This is a big year for DJ Johnson. He hasn't provided the pass rush the Panthers had hoped for when they traded up for him in the draft a couple of years ago, netting just 0.5 sacks in 27 games. Now, he finds himself third on the depth chart behind an unproven rookie.

- Enjoy more free Panthers coverage with Carolina Panthers on SI -

Jaycee Horn reveals which Panthers teammate reminds him of Steph Curry

Tetairoa McMillan makes surprising admission at Panthers training camp

ESPN rankings put Dave Canales, Panthers coaching staff in humbling spot

Carolina Panthers reveal full jersey schedule for the 2025 NFL season