Panthers Pre-Free Agency Offensive Depth Chart + Top Priorities

An overview of the Panthers' offense and what they need to add in free agency.

Next month, the Carolina Panthers will look to completely re-shape its offense to cater to new head coach Dave Canales' scheme by adding a handful of pieces through free agency.

The unit could certainly use a lot of help after finishing 32nd in points per game (13.9), yards per game (265.3), passing yards (161.2), and 20th in rushing (104.1). 

So, where do the Panthers need to add? If you said everywhere, you're not wrong. But let's take a look at the depth chart and focus on the main priorities. 

QUARTERBACK

Bryce Young, Andy Dalton

RUNNING BACK

Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, Mike Boone

Free agents: Raheem Blackshear.

WIDE RECEIVER

Adam Thielen

Jonathan Mingo, Jalen Camp, Mike Strachan

Terrace Marshall Jr., Cam Sims

Free agents: DJ Chark, Laviska Shenault Jr., Ihmir Smith-Marsette.

TIGHT END

Hayden Hurst, Tommy Tremble, Ian Thomas

Free agents: Giovanni Ricci, Stephen Sullivan.

LEFT TACKLE

Ikem Ekwonu

LEFT GUARD

Brady Christensen, Cade Mays, Chandler Zavala

CENTER

Bradley Bozeman

RIGHT GUARD

Austin Corbett, Nash Jensen

RIGHT TACKLE

Taylor Moton, J.D. DiRenzo, Ricky Lee, Badara Traore

Free agents: T David Sharpe, G Gabe Jackson, G Justin McCray

Priority No. 1: Fix the offensive line.

Bryce Young was sacked 62 times as a rookie. He proved that he can take the constant pounding and power through a full season. That said, a guy of his stature can only take so much before getting ruined. The Panthers invested a lot into Young and now it's up to the front office to protect him. I understand the need of a wide receiver and we'll get to that in a second, but providing Young with a clean pocket to operate from has to be the numero uno on the to-do list. 

Before the start of free agency, the Panthers have to figure out what to do with Ikem Ekwonu. He's really struggled over his first two years in pass protection, so if they're thinking about kicking him inside, you need to just go ahead and do it. If not, then you spend the money on a reliable left guard, knocking Brady Christensen into a backup role. 

As far as the right side of the line is concerned, I don't think Dan Morgan has any choice but to add a veteran with starting experience to go in and compete at right guard. Austin Corbett has been great but the injuries are a big concern and there's no telling how he's going to look coming off of two knee injuries. I wouldn't spend big dollars here whatsoever, but there has to be a plan in place incase Corbett goes down a third time.

Priority No. 2: Get a true No. 1 WR

Terrace Marshall Jr., to this point, has been a bust and fellow second-round pick Jonathan Mingo was far too inconsistent for anyone to believe he's going to develop into a go-to threat at this stage in his career. DJ Chark and Laviska Shenault Jr. have become free agents and there's a good chance both end up moving on. 

As great as Adam Thielen was this past season, he can't be your number one. He just can't. Bryce needs a big-bodied receiver that he can go to in clutch situations on one side while having a weapon to take the top off on the other. It's either pay big money for a top-tier receiver or strengthen the overall depth of the room with second and third-tier free agents. The latter seems more likely. Either way, this group has to improve in 2024.

Priority No. 3: Add competition at tight end

The best security blanket for a young quarterback is a tight end...usually. Young did not have that luxury last season as Tommy Tremble, Hayden Hurst, Ian Thomas, and Stephen Sullivan combined for 559 yards. Hurst completely underwhelmed and admitted to having a down year during his exit interview with the media. Thomas and Tremble have shown flashes of being able to catch the ball from time to time, but they're always going to be better suited as an extension of the offensive line. 

ESPN's Early Power Rankings Has the Panthers Where You Would Expect

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