In today's lesson I will look at the offensive side of the depth chart. There are more players on the roster than I will be including, but I am focusing on players that I expect to challenge for spots on the 53 man roster for Week 1 of the 2015 NFL season.
QUARTERBACK
#1 Cam Newton, 4 Years Pro, Auburn University
The former #1 pick came in and shattered records as a rookie. Super Cam has the ability to break any play into a huge gainer whether with his arm or his legs. He struggled with multiple injuries last year and was hit plenty last season following the retirement of long time LT Jordan Gross. The Panthers picked up his fifth-year option for the upcoming season, but I think that an extension could be reached sooner than later to keep Cam around as the face of the franchise.
#3 Derek Anderson, 10 Years Pro, Oregon State University
Anderson performed well last year in two starts and other spot play in place of an injured Cam Newton. Anderson will turn 32 during training camp this summer and could ostensibly continue as Cam's backup for a few more seasons. The coaching staff likes him as a veteran mentor and obviously has faith that he can step in and perform in case of further injuries to Cam.
#14 Joe Webb, 5 Years Pro, University of Alabama - Birmingham (UAB)
Webb is mostly an athlete, but has experience at quarterback, at wide receiver, and on special teams. The coaching staff values Webb for his versatility and his special teams contributions. Webb was resigned to a near-minimum contract with very little money guaranteed. Webb's roster spot is not quite guaranteed, but his versatility and ability to play quarterback among other positions will help keep him from getting cut.
RUNNING BACK
#28 Jonathan Stewart, 7 Years Pro, University of Oregon
Stewart was part of a dynamic backfield his first four years in the NFL when he combined with DeAngelo Williams to form Double Trouble before suffering through two consecutive injury-riddled, ineffective seasons in 2012 and 2013. Stewart came on strong late in the season last year, recording 437 rushing yards from Week 13 through Week 16. At this point Stewart is the unquestioned lead back for the Panthers for 2015. Signed through the 2017 season, Stewart will probably be a significant part of the Panthers offense for the next few seasons.
#43 Fozzy Whittaker, 2 Years Pro, University of Texas
Fozzy went from a punch line pickup following an injury to last year's 6th round pick Tyler Gaffney to a fan favorite. Whittaker had an impressive training camp and preseason, before flashing during the season. His 26 yard screen play against the Saints is certainly one of the top highlights from last season. Whittaker will never be confused for an NFL starter, but he provides solid depth and can play special teams. He is already 26, so the Panthers may look to add another back through the draft to add some youth to the position.
FULLBACK
#35 Mike Tolbert, 7 Years Pro, Coastal Carolina University
Tolbert is a human bowling ball. He is the short yardage back for the Panthers, can line up as a lead blocker, catches passes well out of the backfield, and is strong in pass protection. Tolbert will be a free agent following the 2015 season, but I think that the Panthers will try to retain him even as he passes 30.
WIDE RECEIVER 1
#13 Kelvin Benjamin, 1 Year Pro, Florida State University
So, rookie wide receivers are not supposed to succeed immediately in the NFL; I guess the 2014 rookie class missed that message. Benjamin had 1008 yards on 73 receptions with 9 going for touchdowns and 50 for first downs. Benjamin's huge frame and leaping ability make him a dangerous threat on the outside. He does not have elite speed and struggled with drops, but the sky appears to be the limit for the big man out of Florida State.
#87 Stephen Hill, 3 Years Pro, Georgia Tech University
Yes, I am throwing Stephen Hill's name in here right now. No, I will not apologize. Hill has the size and speed combination to become a major weapon on the outside for Carolina, assuming he can learn how to run routes and can solve his drop problems. Ron Rivera has sounded optimistic about Hill going into training camp this summer, and something tells me he might just break camp as Benjamin's primary backup - if not starting across from him. Patience Panthers fans, patience.
WIDE RECEIVER 2
#?? Jarrett Boykin, 3 Years Pro, Virginia Tech University
Right now, I think Boykin is the favorite to start opposite of Kelvin based on the receivers the Panthers have on the roster. You can read my post from yesterday about the signing of Boykin as a free agent for a more in-depth analysis, but I am bullish on this acquisition. He has the size and ball skills to become a good possession receiver that Cam can rely on for first downs when the game is on the line or a play breaks down. I expect more competition to be added here through the draft.
#82 Jerricho Cotchery, 11 Years Pro, North Carolina State University
Cotchery is the elder statesman among the Panthers receiving corps, and his role as veteran mentor is valuable. However, his role on the offense may be diminished this coming season. He had 48 receptions for 580 yards and 1 touchdown - not numbers that jump out at you. He also plays primarily from the slot, but does not have much speed left in his wheels. If the Panthers add Greg Jennings or draft a receiver early in the draft, I struggle to see how Cotchery fits on the roster.
SLOT RECEIVER
#19 (presumably) Ted Ginn, Jr., 8 Years Pro, Ohio State University
Ginn had his second-most successful season as a wide receiver two years ago with Carolina, providing a deep threat with speed to take the top off of any defense. With Kelvin Benjamin demanding double teams, Ginn could end up running past safeties for easy deep balls this year. If he can replicate his 2013 season (36 receptions, 556 yards, 5 touchdowns) on offense, the Panthers will be very happy.
#16 Philly Brown, 1 Year Pro, Ohio State University
An undrafted rookie brought in to help replace Ginn's production after he left in free agency, Brown impressed enough in limited playing time that I think he will be on the final 53 man roster in 2015. The question is whether Brown has the potential to be as good on special teams as Ginn has been throughout his career.
TIGHT END
#88 Greg Olsen, 8 Years Pro, University of Miami (Florida)
Olsen was the Panthers's most reliable pass-catcher last season totaling 84 receptions, 1008 yards, and 6 touchdowns en route to Pro Bowl honors. He just turned 30 and signed a 3 year extension earlier this offseason, ensuring he will be around for probably the rest of his career. Olsen is a consistent weapon down the seam and across the middle and has developed great chemistry with Cam.
#84 Ed Dickson, 5 Years Pro, University of Oregon
Dickson was one of the Panthers front office's priorities headed into the offseason, and they retained him with a 3 year, $6,100,000 contract. Dickson played as a lead blocker for much of the season while Tolbert was injured before showing up as a pass catching second tight end towards the end of the season and into the playoffs. It will be interesting to see how Dickson is utilized next season.
LEFT TACKLE
#?? Michael Oher, 6 Years Pro, University of Mississippi
Blindside was brought in to be the de facto starting left tackle for 2015. His signing essentially allows the Panthers to not be forced to draft a tackle in the first round of the draft and expect him to be the starting left tackle from day one (although if the Panthers feel that a tackle is the best player available, they will not hesitate to select him). Oher was consistently average as a starter in Baltimore before suffering through an injury-riddled season last year in Tennessee. It would be hard for him to be worse than Byron Bell was last year.
#?? Jonathan Martin, 3 Years Pro, Stanford University
The Panthers claimed Martin off waivers from San Francisco, meaning he comes to the team on a non-guaranteed 1 year, $1,000,000 contract. He was seen as a tackle prospect with the potential to become a good starting left tackle in the NFL when coming out of Stanford, but his lack of functional strength and a bullying scandal in Miami have derailed those aspirations thus far in his career. However, Martin is still athletic with a good frame and the footwork to potentially develop into an effective starter in the NFL. He will be part of the competition at both tackle spots this summer; I expect him to end up as a back up to Oher at left tackle unless the Panthers draft a left tackle prospect in the first round.
LEFT GUARD
#68 Andrew Norwell, 1 Year Pro, Ohio State University
Another undrafted free agent gem, Norwell became a starter at left guard following injuries to Amini Silatolu, Trai Turner, and Fernando Velasco. He performed well in his 9 starts, grading positively according to Pro Football Focus and was one of the least penalized guards in the NFL. He is a brawler that brings a physical element to the offensive trenches and should continue to develop as a starter in Carolina for years to come.
#66 Amini Silatolu, 3 Years Pro, Midwestern State University
Silatolu was highly regarded entering the 2012 draft, and the Panthers selected him 40th overall. He went on to have a respectable rookie season, starting 15 games and being named to Pro Football Weekly's 2012 All-Rookie Team. However, he has been beset with injuries ever since, and with Norwell's performance down the stretch last season, one has to wonder if Silatolu will ever start again in Carolina barring injury.
CENTER
#67 Ryan Kalil, 8 Years Pro, University of Southern California
The 4-time Pro Bowler and 2-time All-Pro center is the anchor of the Carolina offensive line now that Jordan Gross has retired. Kalil is the highest paid center in the NFL, and at only 29, should continue to provide high level play in front of Cam for a few more years.
RIGHT GUARD
#70 Trai Turner, 1 Year Pro, Louisiana State University
Turner was selected in the third round last year and ended up starting 13 games last year as a rookie, allowing only 11 QB disruptions all season. He has not yet turned 22 and should become a stalwart on the interior very soon.
#79 Chris Scott, 3 Years Pro, University of Tennessee
Scott has struggled with injuries throughout his career, but he has performed alright and is versatile as a swing backup offensive lineman. Nothing special here, but decent value for filling out the roster.
RIGHT TACKLE
#74 Mike Remmers, 2 years Pro, Oregon State University
Remmers was a revelation for the Panthers offensive line after starting over Nate Chandler in Week 14. He graded out positively in three out of the final four games and did not give up a single sack. He comes into training camp as the favorite to start at right tackle, but the addition of Oher, Martin, and potentially another offensive tackle in the draft mean that Remmers cannot feel secure in his starting position.
#78 Nate Chandler, 3 Years Pro, University of California - Los Angeles (UCLA)
Chandler is a former defensive lineman that impressed the coaching staff after switching to offensive guard late in the 2013 season. He began last year as the starting right tackle, but he proved to not be up to the task. Of the four offensive tackles I have included in this depth chart, Chandler is the most likely to be cut.
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