A look at the remaining options for defensive roster spots.
After highlighting the concern of defensive backs in my last article, let us cover the final positions that still need attention.
I rearranged this order given last Tuesday’s update.
Linebacker
This room looks worse than it did last week when only depth was a concern. The group was missing a leader with Shaq Thompson leaving after 10 years.
Josey Jewell came in last offseason after spending time with offensive coordinator Ejero Evero in Denver. He had a great season stepping in for Thompson, whose season ended in Week 4.
Jewell has since been released following complications with a concussion. He suffered a head injury in Week 16 last season, ruling him out of the final two games.
Seven months on, he is still suffering symptoms. The Panthers could have put Jewell on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list while he recovers, but he was released at his own request.
This selfless act gives other players an opportunity to step up. Jewell was set to make $4.7m this season, meaning the release will free up some cap space. Jewell wants to prioritise his health and recover fully before a return. The door is open for a return to Carolina when he feels ready.
Next man up
That leaves only two potential starters on the roster. Christian Rozeboom is a new addition this offseason, having led the LA Rams in tackles last year. He will be tasked with being the new leader of the defense.
Trevin Wallace had a positive rookie year following his third-round draft selection. He was forced into being the leader for a few weeks when both Thompson and Jewell were injured. His year was not perfect, but for a rookie thrust into the starting role and captaining the defence, signs are positive.
Claudin Cherelus is entering his third season in Carolina via various releases and re-signings. He played no games in his rookie season in 2023 after going undrafted, although did make the initial 53-man roster after a good preseason on special teams. He played in 13 games last season with some starts due to an injury plagued linebacker room.
Jacoby Windmon went undrafted last year. He played in eight games with some starts due to injuries, impressing with 1.5 sacks. Windmon’s claim to fame is being the first player flagged for the new hip-drop tackle rule introduced into the 2024 season.
Jon Rhattigan was claimed off waivers last year following three seasons in Seattle. He has played well on special teams.
Bam Martin-Scott and Tuasivi Nomura are intriguing undrafted rookies. Martin-Scott is rated highly. On the radar as a potential late draft pick, Carolina signed him as a free agent from South Carolina and he has impressed so far staking his claim for a roster spot. Nomura is an interesting prospect with similarities being made to former Panthers standout linebacker Frankie Luvu.
Edge
The edge rusher room does not look stacked following the release of Jadeveon Clowney but may be in safe hands in the future. DJ Wonnum and Patrick Jones II will likely be named the starters in the short term.
Wonnum only played in the final eight games of last season. A quadriceps injury playing for Minnesota in 2023 kept him on the PUP list for the opening nine games. He came back to make a big impact on a struggling defence with four sacks – third most on the team.
Jones II, also coming from Minnesota, had a career-best seven sacks last year for the Vikings, 1.5 more than Panthers joint leaders Clowney and A’Shawn Robinson.
Draft selections ready to step up
Carolina double dipped on pass rushers on Day 2 of the draft: Nic Scourton in the second-round – 51st overall – and Princely Umanmielen in the third – 77th overall.
This pair are tipped to be the future of Carolina’s pass rush. Like most of the league, Carolina had much higher grades on both players feeling they have secured a bargain with their selections. Scourton had a first-round grade by Panthers scouts.
Also on the roster:
- DJ Johnson – a third-round pick of the Panthers in 2023 had a disappointing rookie year but played better last season. Specialising in stopping the run, suiting Evero’s style, he almost tripled his tackle numbers from the previous year, only playing in one more game and getting his first sack.
- Carlos ‘Boogie’ Basham – second-round pick by Buffalo in 2021. Spent two years with the Bills and the last two with New York Giants. 4.5 career sacks, 2.5 being a career best from his rookie year.
- Thomas Incoom – undrafted in 2023, he played four games with Denver in his rookie year. Signed to the Panthers practice squad in 2024, playing in eight games with eight tackles.
- JJ Weaver – 25-year-old undrafted rookie signed last week to replace a 2022 sixth-round Panthers pick, Amaré Barno. Had 21.5 sacks in six college seasons. Known for being born with six fingers on his right hand.
- Mapalo Mwansa – English undrafted rookie from the International Player Pathway program from Peterborough.
