Carolina Panthers release first depth chart of 2024 season

The Panthers revealed their first depth chart of the season this week. However, it is an unofficial one, so it’ll likely be fluid throughout August.

The Panthers made a number of moves to help their offense this off season. It started with the choice of head coach — Dave Canales, who is known for offense and helping quarterbacks.

Bryce Young, the No. 1 pick of last year’s NFL Draft, is the starting quarterback. No shock there. However, Canales said Tuesday that Young would not play in the Panthers first preseason game against the Patriots.

Andy Dalton, who was Young’s backup last season, won’t play, either. Dalton strained a quad and likely will miss about two weeks. That should mean Jack Plummer should start against the Patriots. Plummer is the undrafted rookie free agent from Louisville. On Monday, Carolina announced the team signed Jake Luton as a backup quarterback. He spent time on the Panthers’ practice squad last season. To make room for Luton, Carolina placed defensive end Kemoko Turray on injured reserve.

So who are the Panthers top receivers? Adam Thielen, Diontae Johnson and Jonathan Mingo are the starting three. The Panthers secured Johnson from the Steelers, so he’s the new guy. Then there’s Mingo. Reports out of training camp suggest that Mingo is turning heads. Mingo and Young spent a ton of time together in the off season.

“I feel like me and him got a good groove together right now,” Mingo told reporters last week. “So I’m just trying to go out there and capitalize on my opportunities every day.” 

Meanwhile, Xavier Legette, who Carolina traded up for in the first round, is second team. He won’t play against the Patriots because of a leg injury.

The Panthers starting running back is Chuba Hubbard. He’s backed up by Miles Sanders and Raheem Blackshear. Jonathon Brooks, who was the first running back off the board in April’s draft, still is recovering from knee surgery. It’s unclear when he’ll be able to return.

And to help keep Young upright, the Panthers signed Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis. Hunt is the first string right guard, while Lewis is the starting left guard.

On defense, Jadeveon Clowney will lineup with DJ Johnson as outside linebackers. The Panthers signed Clowney, the No. 1 pick of the 2014 draft, in the off-season. Johnson was last year’s third-round pick. Carolina will hope that they’ll be able to replace the pass rush generated by Brian Burns. The Panthers traded Burns, their first-round pick in 2019, to the Giants this off-season.

You can check out the Panthers depth chart here.