Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on how you look at it), we won’t get to see some of the Carolina Panthers’ high-profile players on Thursday night. The team will be without a handful of notable names for their preseason opener—including starting quarterback Bryce Young and 2024 draft picks Xavier Legette and Jonathon Brooks. So, who else do we have to look forward to? Well, head coach Dave Canales hasn’t been exactly precise about which players will hit the field in Foxborough. But if we could choose just a handful, here are four guys we are most excited to watch:
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Perhaps the frontrunner for the team’s unofficial MVP honors this summer, Mingo seems to be coming into his own at the start of his second pro season. The 2023 second-round pick had himself a quiet rookie campaign, reeling in just 43 balls for 418 yards and zero touchdowns. Much of his ineffectiveness could, of course, be attributed to the entire mess that was last year’s offense was—but there’s no doubt Mingo entered the league as a pretty raw prospect. But now, his progress is evident—as he’s appeared sharper and more intent in his footwork during practices. (After all, he went to school this offseason with a certain legend who has a PhD in route running.) Hopefully, he’ll get to display some of those improvements in a game setting.
Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Carolina’s tight end room has taken quite a few hits this summer. They’ve been without projected starter Tommy Tremble, Ian Thomas and Stephen Sullivan—the position’s top three options from a year ago. That’s opened an opportunity for Sanders, who has stepped up in the absence of his vets. Canales said the following of the 2024 fourth-round pick’s development this past Saturday: “It’s exponential growth, every day,” Canales said. “What I’ve seen him do is just kinda really take big leaps in the techniques. And you’ll see that with young guys. You’ll see big leaps, and then you wanna get them to the point where it’s consistent. And then we take our incremental growth—just like some of the veteran guys who have been around. “So JT is taking those steps that we’re looking for. Made a big play at Fan Fest to end it, to end the scrimmage on a corner. Had a couple nice plays today, nice catches. He’s doin’ it. He’s making the most of his opportunity. It’s pushed him right up with that first group, to be able to show the guys you can count on him and he’s been really dependable with that.” While the staff’s plan may have been to bring the 21-year-old along slowly and surely, Sanders could make an impact sooner than they initially hoped.
Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
Sanders isn’t the only youngster who’s been praised for his growth this summer. The Panthers have also seen a step forward, and a much-needed one at that, from Johnson. Last year’s third-rounder, who has yet to record an NFL sack, was more muted than his classmate Mingo in 2023. Even with Carolina’s lack of pass rushers, Johnson played in at least half of the defense’s snaps in just three of his 13 games as a rookie. His work this offseason, however, may warrant more time. Just ask fellow outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney. “He’s definitely one of the best edge setters that we have out there,” the three-time Pro Bowler said of Johnson. “Setting the edge, stopping the run, DJ definitely brings that physicality to the game and you need that out of the guys.” With the Panthers still searching for consistent contributors off the edge, Thursday could be another step for Johnson—who is currently listed as the second starter in place of an injured D.J. Wonnum.
Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images
When he’s not performing . . . um . . . interesting songs, this emerging rookie is performing rather well on the field. General manager and former linebacker Dan Morgan was looking to land a playmaker when he took Wallace with the 2024 draft’s 72nd overall pick. And thus far, that selection has been a promising one—as the dynamic 6-foot-1, 244-pounder has turned heads throughout offseason workouts. So with starting middle linebacker Shaq Thompson likely down on Thursday, his presumed successor in Wallace can make his presence even more known.
