Panthers Depth Chart After Free Agency: Starters, Position Battles, Roster Bubble

Free agency has essentially wound down for the Carolina Panthers. The draft looms, but we now have a really good look at the roster. Here's the current depth chart, who's on the bubble, and position battles we're excited to watch this summer.

Offensive Depth Chart

Philadelphia Eagles running back AJ Dillon (29) runs the ball against the Kansas City Chiefs | Denny Medley-Imagn Images

QB
Bryce Young
Kenny Pickett
RB
Chuba Hubbard
Jonathon Brooks
AJ Dillon
Trevor Etienne
WR
Tetairoa McMillan
Jalen Coker
Xavier Legette
John Metchie
David Moore
Jimmy Horn Jr.
Brycen Tremayne
Ja'Seem Reed
Dan Chisena
Ainias Smith
TE
Ja'Tavion Sanders
Tommy Tremble
Mitchell Evans
James Mitchell
LT
Rasheed Walker
Stone Forsythe
LG
Damien Lewis
Saahdiq Charles
Josh Gray
C
Luke Fortner
Nick Samac
RG
Robert Hunt
Chandler Zavala
Ja'Tyre Carter
RT
Taylor Moton
Stone Forsythe

Defensive Depth Chart

LDE
Derrick Brown
NT
Bobby Brown III
Cam Jackson
RDE
Tershawn Wharton
La'Bryan Ray
Jared Harrison-Hunte
WLB
Nic Scourton
Pat Jones
Trevis Gipson
LILB
Devin Lloyd
Claudin Cherilus
Maema Njongmeta
SILB
Trevin Wallace
Bam Martin-Scott
Isaiah Simmons
Jacoby Windmon
SLB
Jaelan Phillips
Princely Umanmielen
Thomas Incoom
Jamil Muhammad
LCB
Mike Jackson
Akayleb Evans
Michael Reid
SS
Tre'von Moehrig
FS
Nick Scott
Lathan Ransom
Demani Richardson
RCB
Jaycee Horn
Robert Rochell
Tyler Funderburk
NB
Chau Smith-Wade
Corey Thornton

Position Battles to Watch

Carolina Panthers tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (0) warms up before a game | Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

Most of the starting lineup is, before the draft, set. The Panthers don't have a ton of competition as of now, because either incumbents aren't threatened or newcomers were signed to be the starters on day one.

There are some battles to watch. Tight end, even before the seemingly inevitable selection of Kenyon Sadiq, is up in the air. Ja'Tavion Sanders is the starter, but he's not been very good, and Tommy Tremble seems to have a little chemistry with Bryce Young.

The WR3 spot is definitely a battle, too. Xavier Legette is there because the Panthers refuse to give up on him, but a rookie could challenge. As of now, John Metchie and Jimmy Horn are both candidates to usurp him this fall.

Most of the defense is set. However, the free safety position is definitely up for grabs. Nick Scott is the re-signed incumbent, but he was not very good. Lathan Ransom should have a good shot at taking the spot unless the Panthers sign or draft someone else before Week 1.

Also, Corey Thornton flashed when healthy, so when he returns from a torn ACL, he could very well take the nickel spot from Chau Smith-Wade. It will also be interesting to see how the backfield behind Chuba Hubbard shakes out with so many bodies. AJ Dillon and Jonathon Brooks will battle it out primarily.

Roster Bubble

Those on the roster bubble include Ainias Smith, Dan Chisena, James Mitchell, Tyler Funderbusk, Michael Reid, Jamil Mujammad, Maema Njongmeta, Jared Harrison-Hunte, Ja'Tyre Carter, Saahdiq Charles, Josh Gray, and Ja'Seem Reed.

The Panthers have seven draft picks to make, and there are 13 players on the bubble. Most of them will not make it and will be replaced by those picks. Additionally, UDFAs are in play, since Corey Thornton and Jalen Coker are former UDFAs that both might start.