With the Carolina Panthers set to report to training camp this week, it’s time to take a look at the lay of the land.
Which players are sure to make it through the summer and onto the team’s initial 53-man roster? Are there any wild-card candidates who can leave a lasting impression in the coming weeks? And which battles are worth keeping an eye on?
Here is our training camp preview for the Panthers’ offensive line:
Locks
- Ikem Ekwonu
- Damien Lewis
- Austin Corbett
- Robert Hunt
- Taylor Moton
- Cade Mays
- Brady Christensen
- Yosh Nijman
Carolina is boasting one of the more solid offensive lines they’ve had in some time. Their starting unit is almost entirely set and will be backed up by a few versatile pieces in Christensen, Nijman and, possibly, Mays.
There is, however, a bit of uncertainty surrounding the future of Moton as he enters the final season of his contract. The Panthers don’t seem all too certain about the long-term health of the soon-to-be 31-year-old, who has played in 129 of a possible 132 games during his eight-year career.
Likely to make it
- Chandler Zavala
After a rough rookie campaign, Zavala gave a decent account of himself from both guard positions in 2024. The former fourth-rounder earned a 71.2 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus, with a 73.9 mark in pass-blocking and a 71.9 mark on the ground over 198 offensive snaps.
On the bubble
- Michael Tarquin
- Brandon Walton
- Ja’Tyre Carter
- Luke Kandra
- Jarrett Kingston
- Steven Losoya
Kingston might have the best chance of this bunch to claim an initial roster spot, having already spent the 2024 season on Carolina’s active roster.
Battle to watch
- Austin Corbett vs. Cade Mays
In what is perhaps the Panthers’ biggest bout of the summer, Corbett will try to reclaim the starting center job from Mays.
Corbett, who transitioned from guard to center in 2024, had a solid start derailed by a season-ending biceps injury in Week 5. Mays took over at the middle for eight of the last nine games, allowing just 10 pressures over 308 pass-blocking opportunities.
Can Corbett stave off Mays, who helped in the late-season revival of quarterback Bryce Young, and his recent injury history?
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers training camp preview: Biggest summer battle sits on OL