Three must-watch players in Panthers' first preseason game

The Panthers host the Jets in their first preseason action of the 2023 season on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET. Here are three must-watch players for Carolina.

Bryce Young, quarterback

HC Frank Reich confirmed that the No. 1 pick will start against New York but is unsure how much he'll play. If second-overall pick C.J. Stroud's debut was any indication, there are sure to be plenty of overreactions to Young's performance, regardless of how small the sample size is.

So far in camp, Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner who threw for 8,200 yards and 79 touchdowns over the last two seasons at Alabama, has checked "every box," according to Reich. The strong rapport that Young has built with his receivers will be on full display throughout the preseason as a majority, if not all, of the starters, are expected to suit up.  

Young's 5-foot-10, 204-pound frame has been the only real criticism against his game, but with an impressive showing on Saturday, he can once again prove his size doesn't hold him back as a quarterback. 

Jonathan Mingo, wide receiver

While it's anyone's guess who emerges as Carolina's top pass-catcher, Mingo is slated to have a significant role in the offense during his rookie season.

Tight end Hayden Hurst believes Mingo, a second-round pick, "has got that dog in him," and it's easy to see why. The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder was compared to Philadelphia star wideout A.J. Brown in the pre-draft process following his 861-yard season for Ole Miss in 2022.

Mingo's size and 4.46 speed make him a dangerous big-play weapon that Young will appreciate having at his disposal. The Panthers' new duo shined during their joint practice sessions with New York and should continue their stellar play against the Jets' second-team defense. 

Matt Corral, quarterback

With free agent acquisition Andy Dalton unlikely to play against the Jets, Corral, a third-round pick in 2022, should see the bulk of the action in relief of Young. Despite having a solid career at Ole Miss, where he threw for 8,287 yards and 57 touchdowns, Corral is yet to prove himself in the pros and must deliver a quality performance to get back on track.

During his rookie year, Corral missed the regular season due to a Lisfranc injury he suffered in his second preseason game. When he was on the field, Corral played like a mid-round rookie signal-caller, only completing 41.7% of his passes for 69 yards. It'll be interesting to see how much Carolina leans on Corral's legs as he rushed for 1,120 yards across his final two seasons with the Rebels. 

A strong outing could cement Corral as Carolina's No. 2 quarterback for the future. However, with the hope that Young will be around for the next 10 years, perhaps another team will consider acquiring the second-year passer if he performs well.