Carolina Panthers 2025 Roster Complete Breakdown & Analysis

The Carolina Panthers enter the 2025 season with a revamped roster, new coaching staff, and hopes of bouncing back from a disastrous 2-15 season. Under first-year head coach Dave Canales, the team looks to develop Bryce Young, improve its offensive line, and rebuild a defense that lost key playmakers.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the Panthers’ 2025 roster, including projected starters, depth chart battles, and impact players.

Offense

Quarterback (QB)

• Starter:Bryce Young (Year 2)
  • 2023 Stats: 2,877 yards, 11 TD, 10 INT, 59.8% completion
  • Outlook: Must improve under Canales’ QB-friendly system. Needs better protection and weapons.
• Backup: Andy Dalton (Veteran mentor)
• Depth: Jack Plummer (UDFA rookie)

Key Question: Can Bryce Young take a Year 2 leap with improved coaching and weapons?

Running Back (RB)

• Starter:Chuba Hubbard
  • 2023 Stats: 902 rushing yards, 5 TD
• Change-of-Pace: Miles Sanders (Seeking bounce-back year)
• Rookie to Watch: Jonathon Brooks (2nd-round pick, recovering from ACL)
• Fullback: Giovanni Ricci (Hybrid TE/FB)

Battle to Watch: Hubbard vs. Sanders for lead back role.

Wide Receiver (WR)

• WR1:Diontae Johnson (Trade with Steelers)
  • 2023 Stats: 717 yards, 5 TD
• WR2:Adam Thielen (Veteran leader)
  • 2023 Stats: 1,014 yards, 4 TD
• Slot: Xavier Legette (Rookie, 1st-round pick)
• Depth: Jonathan Mingo (Year 2), Terrace Marshall Jr., David Moore

Also Read: Washington Commanders Roster

Tight End (TE)

• Starter:Tommy Tremble
  • 2023 Stats: 23 rec, 194 yards, 3 TD
• Backup: Ian Thomas (Blocking specialist)
• Rookie: Ja’Tavion Sanders (4th-round pick – potential sleeper)

Outlook: More receiving production needed from this group.

Offensive Line

• LT: Ikem Ekwonu (Needs bounce-back year)
• LG: Damien Lewis (Free agent signing)
• C: Austin Corbett (Converted from guard)
• RG: Robert Hunt (Big-money free agent)
• RT: Taylor Moton (Most consistent lineman)

Depth: Brady Christensen, Cade Mays, Yosh Nijman

Key Improvement: Interior line should be much stronger with Hunt & Lewis.

Defense

Defensive Line

• DT:Derrick Brown (Elite run-stopper)
  • 2023 Stats: 103 tackles, 7 TFL
• DT: A’Shawn Robinson (Free agent signing)
• DE: Jadeveon Clowney (Veteran pass rush)
• DE: D.J. Wonnum (Former Viking, 8 sacks in 2023)

Depth: Shy Tuttle, LaBryan Ray, Nick Thurman

Key Loss: Brian Burns (traded to Giants). Can Clowney & Wonnum replace his production?

Linebackers (LB)

• OLB: Josey Jewell (Free agent signing)
• MLB: Shaq Thompson (Leader, coming off injury)
• OLB: Trevin Wallace (Rookie, 3rd-round pick)

Depth: Claudin Cherelus, Chandler Wooten

Weakness: Unproven group after losing Frankie Luvu (Commanders).

Secondary (CB/S)

• CB1: Jaycee Horn (Must stay healthy)
• CB2: Dane Jackson / Troy Hill
• Nickel: Jadeveon Clowney
• S: Xavier Woods
• S: Jordan Fuller (Free agent signing)

Depth: D’Shawn Jamison, Nick Scott

X-Factor: If Horn stays healthy, this unit could surprise.

Special Teams

• Kicker: Eddy Piñeiro
• Punter: Johnny Hekker
• Returner: Raheem Blackshear

2025 Roster Outlook: Strengths & Weaknesses

✅ Strengths:

• Improved offensive line
• Young offensive weapons (Legette, Johnson, Brooks)
• Derrick Brown anchoring the defensive front

Weaknesses:

• Pass rush without Brian Burns
• Linebacker depth
• Bryce Young’s development remains uncertain

The Panthers’ roster has some promising pieces but still lacks elite talent. If Bryce Young improves, the offensive line holds up, and the defense overachieves, Carolina could be more competitive in a weak NFC South. However, playoffs remain a long shot unless multiple young players break out.

Projected Record: 5-12 to 7-10 (4th in NFC South)