7 Players to Watch While Panthers Look to Right Ship vs. Jaguars

The Panthers need to turn it around, and these seven players should be watched closely.

Carolina Panthers tackle Monroe Freeling (57) on the way to the practice field | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Tonight, the Carolina Panthers are taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars, and all eyes will be on Carolina after an underwhelming, to put it lightly, showing against the Buffalo Bills. Almost everyone needs to play better, but there are a few players we're watching closely to see how they do this week.

QB Bryce Young

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) takes a snap during a joint practice | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

We were willing to give Bryce Young a pass for an inauspicious start to the preseason. The fourth-year QB has been great in camp, and the protection was abysmal during his nine snaps in the preseason. With his starting guards back, he should be better. Regardless, he needs to show something more, even if the cards are stacked against him.

Gs Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt

Speaking of, both Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt are expected to play tonight. That's a huge development. Mostly, we're looking to see if the protection improves. There are some new pieces up front, but not these two. If their presence can stabilize things, great. If they can't, then this offensive line (and offense as a whole) is in big trouble.

EDGE Pat Jones

So far, there's been no conversation about Pat Jones not starting. He is expected to return tonight after an injury absence and start opposite Jaelan Phillips. If he doesn't produce, those conversations might begin to crop up, especially since the Phillips-Princely Umanmielen pairing was absolutely electric last week against the Buffalo Bills.

CB Mike Jackson

This goes for Jaycee Horn as well, but we're not as concerned about him. Last week, Mike Jackson was beat in coverage plenty of times, as wide receivers were routinely wide open. The zone scheme doesn't seem to help, but he thrived in it in 2025. He and the team need Jackson to perform, as he's angling for a contract and the Panthers want to have success on the back end.

RT Monroe Freeling

Monroe Freeling only played 10 snaps, so take this with a grain of salt, but he was not good last week. He posted a sub-40.0 PFF pass protection grade, though his run-blocking was fairly decent. That's got to improve. Freeling is the protector of the future, and the Panthers took a risk selecting him (one that has paid off with Taylor Moton's injury, but still), and he needs to prove himself.

WR Xavier Legette

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette (17) runs after the catch | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

It was impossible to get a read on the Panthers' first-team WRs last week because no one on offense made an impact in nine plays. But we know what Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker bring to the table. It's Xavier Legette who remains a wild card. What he does after a solid camp will be very telling.