The Carolina Panthers opened the 2024 preseason with a rainy 17-3 loss to New England.
There are plenty of questions about the latest edition of the Panthers that need answering this preseason: How will the offensive line, rebuilt through free agency, protect second-year quarterback Bryce Young? How do the new Panthers receivers look? Will turnover on defense impact what was the most reliable unit for Carolina last year?
Unfortunately, most of those questions went unaddressed in the opener, as the Panthers opted to sit out their starters. Of the two dozen players listed on the top line on the team’s depth chart, Carolina played one offensive starter—receiver Jonathan Mingo—two on defense—DJ Johnson and Dane Jackson, long snapper JJ Jansen and punter Johnny Hekker. Everyone else was on the sidelines in street clothes, including Young, the entire offensive and defensive lines, former Steeler receiver Diontae Johnson, acquired in a headline-grabbing trade, and top draft pick Xavier Leggette.
While fans will need to wait a little longer to get a read on those new-look areas of the team, there were plenty of rookies and players involved in position or roster battles who were able to take advantage of their expanded playing time. Here’s a look at what we learned in the preseason opener:
Draft pick report
While Leggette, the South Carolina receiver who Carolina made the 22nd overall pick, and second-round pick Jonathan Brooks, a running back out of Texas, both sat out, the Panthers’ other five choices all saw action in the game.
Linebacker Trevin Wallace, a third-rounder out of Kentucky, got the start and logged 28 snaps, second most in the Panthers 2024 draft class. He showed good pursuit on a couple of early plays, including one where he was able to clean up after a missed tackle by DB D’Shawn Jamison, preventing a long gain. He didn’t do anything to hurt himself, although he also didn’t jump off the game film.
Tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, a fourth-rounder from Texas, did jump off the film. Thought to be a pass-catching tight end coming out of college, Sanders showed off his blocking ability, both in pass protection and on run plays—clearing the path, sealing the edge or clearing out defenders on the backside. With Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas sitting out the preseason opener, Sanders made a strong case for playing time at the position.
Cornerback Chau Smith-Wade, a fifth-rounder out of Washington State, had 30 snaps, the most of any new Panthers draftee. He had several moments on defense, getting a pair of solo tackles. He also excelled on special teams, making a good block on one punt return and getting to the return man before anyone else on punt coverage. Smith-Wade whiffed on downing a punt near the end zone, surrendering a touchback, but that may have been due to a bad bounce. He was in position to make the play.
Defensive tackle Jaden Crumedy, a sixth-rounder out of Mississippi State, got the start and was holding his own, getting a good push up the middle and showing that he might be able to contribute this season. On his eighth snap, however, he went down and had to be carted off. He’s been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain and will miss time.
Linebacker Michael Barrett, a Michigan seventh-rounder, didn’t get in until the fourth quarter, appearing on 10 defensive snaps. He got a tackle on a run play in his only moment in the sun.
Position battle updates:
The team is looking for receiver depth, but no one leapt forward. Mingo and Terrace Marshall had drops. Ihmir Smith-Marsette botched a jet sweep, leading to a fumble. Veteran David Moore didn’t get much time until late and had a couple questionable fair catches on punt returns. Undrafted free agent Jalen Coker had about the best day, but he was far enough down the depth chart that it may not shake up the pecking order.
At linebacker, Johnson had a few good plays as one of the few starters in the game. The two emerging names to watch were both edge rushers—Eku Leota and K’Lavon Chaisson. Leota had just 20 defensive snaps, but he seemed to make a play on more than half of them. In one three play stretch to start the second half, he made the tackle on the third-quarter kickoff, got held rushing the passer on the first defensive play, then got a tackle for loss on the next one.
Chaisson got the start and was a factor creating pressure early in the game.
At corner, journeymen Jamison and Lamar Jackson were both targeted often by New England passers and held up well, displaying good, tight coverage. Jamison tended to take risks, breaking early to try to get pick sixes twice—resulting in a pass breakup and a long gain. Both showed they’re ready to step in if a starter goes down.
