On Tuesday, the Carolina Panthers officially put out their very first depth chart of the 2023 campaign. So, what should we make of it?
Here are the four biggest takeaways from the release:
Mingo over Marshall
In what may be the biggest surprise, rookie wide receiver Jonathan Mingo is slotted atop one of the two starting outside spots. He is joined by veterans DJ Chark and Adam Thielen, who’ll line up from the slot.
What makes Mingo’s positioning a bit of a shocker is who isn’t positioned there—Terrace Marshall Jr. The 2021 second-round pick has shined during the last handful of practices, and should have the inside track given his seniority over Mingo.
Nonetheless, it’s the 2023 second-rounder who has his name with the first team.
It's gonna be Mays?
As expected, Cade Mays is down as the starter at right guard. With Austin Corbett still recovering from an ACL tear and not expected back by Week 1, it’s the second-year hog molly who’s taken over those duties thus far.
The line also has some interesting placements with Deonte Brown as Mays’ understudy and veteran Justin McCray, who played all 151 snaps at guard in 2022, as the backup center.
Marquan in the middle
Carolina has a type at 0-technique, and it may be Marquan McCall.
The big 6-foot-3 345-pounder is currently the lead dog at the nose tackle position, with Derrick Brown and Shy Tuttle beside him at the ends. McCall, who has stood out this summer, has the space-eating size and eye-opening burst to keep a hold on the job.
Blackshear, not black sheep
Another job that’s been up for grabs, the punt returner role is currently being claimed by Raheem Blackshear. The 25-year-old running back is also listed as the primary kick returner, ahead of wideouts Laviska Shenault Jr. and Shi Smith.
Blackshear may have been considered a bubble player entering camp. But as the No. 1 returner (on both ends) and the No. 3 back with some pass-catching upside, it doesn’t seem like he’ll be left out come cutdown time.
