Past Roster Construction May Lend Insight to Panthers' 2026 Decisions

The Carolina Panthers brought back a large swathe of 2025 players. They also added players like Devin Lloyd, Jaelan Phillips, Luke Fortner, Rasheed Walker, and more who are going to make the roster. That puts some constraints on the UDFAs or long-shot hopefuls competing in OTAs.

It's anyone's guess as to how Dan Morgan will align things this year, but there are some consistencies in the past two years that might hint at it. Below is how the 53 spots were divied up under Morgan.

There are a few spots where this is important for 2026. The numbers at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, inside linebacker, and cornerback have been pretty consistent in both years and will be important to note this year.

Morgan's never given more than two roster spots to quarterbacks, which is bad news for Haynes King. Bryce Young's a lock for one spot, and Kenny Pickett is the favorite for the other. King has to outdo both Will Grier and probably Pickett to make it.

At running back, the Panthers only keep three. Given Trevor Etienne's special teams work, he's likely to be the third back instead of AJ Dillon, with Jonathon Brooks and Chuba Hubbard being locked into the other two spots.

Morgan likes to keep seven wide receivers, which is good news, since the Panthers have a surplus. Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, Chris Brazzell, and Xavier Legette are probably locked in, but this means Jimmy Horn, John Metchie, David Moore, Malick Meiga, Kobe Prentice, and Brycen Tremayne have a little easier path to the final 53.

At inside linebacker, Devin Lloyd and Trevin Wallace are locks. That only leaves two spots to be had between Claudin Cherilus, Bam Martin-Scott, Isaiah Simmons (though he might also be classified as a safety), Jackson Kuwatch, and others.

At cornerback, it looks like Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson will be joined by Will Lee, which means there's probably not a spot for UDFA darling DeVonta Smith. That's unfortunate, because he'll probably be poached off the practice squad.