The NFL draft all but completed the 2014 depth chart for the Carolina Panthers barring any surprises from undrafted free agents they sign. Heres a look at it now and how the rookies (all caps) fit in: Quarterback Projected starter: Cam Newton Backups: Derek Anderson, Joe Webb, Matt Blanchard Comment: Biggest concern is getting Newton back from ankle surgery so he can work with his new receivers. Running back Projected starter: DeAngelo Williams Backups: Jonathan Stewart, Kenjon Barner, TY GAFFNEY Comment: Gaffney was an interesting choice in the sixth round as crowded as the backfield is. It will be even more interesting to see how Carolina gets him on the field. Maybe on special teams. Fullback Projected starter: Mike Tolbert Backups: Richie Brockel, Michael Zordich Comment: A 6-foot, 226 pounds, theres a chance the Panthers could work Gaffney in here a bit. Hes a versatile athlete, having given up a pro baseball career to play football. Wide receiver Projected starters: KELVIN BENJAMIN and Jerricho Cotchery Backups: Jason Avant, Tiquan Underwood, Tavarres King, Marvin McNutt, Kealoha Pilares, Toney Clemons, Brenton Bersin Comment: Benjamin has to produce right away. I easily could see Avant being the No. 2 receiver and it wont surprise if the third comes out of King, McNutt and one of the other young receivers that were on the roster. Tight end Projected starter: Greg Olsen Backups: Ed Dickson, Mike McNeil, Brandon Williams, D.C. Jefferson Comment: This position is as strong as any on the team. Center Projected starter: Ryan Kalil Backups: TRAI TURNER, Brian Folkerts Comment: This position is solid with a perennial Pro Bowl selection in Kalil. The team likely will teach third-round pick Turner how to play center as well as right guard, his primary position. Left tackle Projected starter: Byron Bell or Nate Chandler Backups: Bell or Chandler, Travis Bond, Andrew McDonald Comment: No way to say one player has this job, although Bell will go in as the heir apparent to retired Jordan Gross. Im still surprised this position wasnt addressed in the draft, but the Panthers felt after the first four tackles were selected the players on their roster were a better value than anybody they could pick. Left Guard Projected starter: Amini Silatolu Backups: Edmund Kugbila, Michael Jasper, Oscar Johnson Comment: This position should be in good shape if Silatolu is fully recovered from a torn ACL suffered last season. Right Guard Projected starter: TRAI TURNER or Chris Scott Backups: TURNER or Scott, Garry Williams, Derek Dennis, Phillipkeith Manley Comment: It may be too early to pencil in third-round pick Turner as the starter here, but at 6-2 1/2 and 310 pounds and what the coaches call a nasty attitude, its hard not to. Right tackle Projected starter: Garry Williams or Nate Chandler Backups: Williams or Chandler Comment: Williams has started 13 games at right tackle, so hell begin as the starter. The loser of the left tackle job between Bell and Chandler also could figure in as a starter, particularly Bell who was the regular here a year ago. DEFENSE Left end Projected starter: Charles Johnson Backups: Mario Addison, KONY EALY, Frank Alexander *, Wes Horton, Craig Roh, Alex Hall Comment: The second-round pick Ealy can be eased into the lineup as a pass-rush specialist and give Johnson a break. The nice thing about the rookie from Missouri is he can play either end and move inside to tackle. *Suspended first four games Right end Projected starter: Greg Hardy Backups: Mario Addison, KONY EALY, Frank Alexander *, Wes Horton, Craig Roh, Alex Hall Comment: When Carolina moves Hardy inside as it did at times last season, Ealy can step right into the end spot. *Suspended first four games Tackle Projected starter: Star Lotulelei Backups: Kawann Short, Casey Walker, Linden Gaydosh Comment: Dont be surprised to see second-year player Lotulelei get Pro Bowl consideration this year. Tackle Projected starter: Dwan Edwards Backups: Colin Cole, Linden Gaydosh Comment: This position is solid. Any of the top four tackles can play either spot and rotate in. Inside linebacker Projected starter: Luke Kuechly Backups: Chase Blackburn, D.J. Smith, Ben Jacobs Comments: I really thought Carolina might look for depth here, but the reigning NFC Defensive Player of the Year (Kuechly) never comes off the field so that player would have been relegated to special teams anyway. Strongside linebacker Projected starter: Thomas Davis Backups: A.J. Klein, Jason Williams Comments: Klein is a budding star just waiting for his opportunity. Weakside linebacker Projected starter: Chase Blackburn Backup: A.J. Klein Comment: See above comment. Left cornerback Projected starter: Antoine Cason Backups: Josh Norman, DeAndre Presley, James Dockery, BENE BENWIKERE Comment: The Panthers are hoping Cason returns to the form he showed a few years ago in San Diego, where he once played for Carolina coach Ron Rivera. It would be a reach to think fifth-round pick Benwikere will figure in as a starter, but he will be given a shot to play nickelback. Right cornerback Projected starter: Charles Johnson Backups: Melvin White, Josh Thomas, BENE BENWIKERE, DeQuan Menzie Comment: I know White started much of last season here, but the Panthers are going to give Godfrey a chance to move from safety to cornerback and its my guess they did it with the hope that hell start on one side. Strong safety Projected starter: Roman Harper Backups: Robert Lester, Russell Anderson Comment: The veteran Harper gives Lester, who started a handful of games last year here, a chance to grow into the position. Free safety Projected starter: Thomas DeCoud Backups: TRE BOSTON, Colin Jones Comment: The Panthers are hoping free-agent acquisition DeCoud returns to his Pro Bowl status of 2012.
Posted on: Mon, 12 May 2014 12:53:59 +0000
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