The Carolina Panthers still have a handful of position battles to settle before the regular season kicks off, with several spots up for grabs in the final week of the preseason.
The reigning NFC South champions have already filled some key roles, but there are still a few competitions to be decided. One of the most intriguing battles is for the remaining spots in the wide receiver room.
The Panthers have three established wideouts in Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker, and Xavier Legette, but the other three to four spots are up for grabs. A number of players are vying for those positions, including David Moore, Brycen Tremayne, Jimmy Horn Jr., John Metchie III, and Ja'seem Reed.
Moore is a favorite of head coach Dave Canales, while Tremayne and Horn have made a case for themselves on special teams. Metchie has been the most productive receiver of the preseason, and Reed has emerged as a summer standout. However, with only one or two spots left to fill, at least one of these players will likely be cut come Sunday.
The Panthers will need to decide on their No. 4 tight end, with Darren Waller joining the team last week. Waller's presence has put Ja'Tavion Sanders' job security in question, and he will have to fend off Feleipe Franks to keep his spot.
The Panthers also have a competition for the starting inside linebacker spot next to Devin Lloyd, who was signed to a three-year, $42 million deal in the spring. Trevin Wallace and Claudin Cherelus are vying for the spot, but neither has made a strong claim to it this summer.
In a surprising twist, Chau Smith-Wade could be leading Corey Thornton in the race to start from the slot. Smith-Wade has flashed his big-play ability, including a spectacular interception on Friday, while Thornton has struggled in coverage during preseason play.
The Panthers will also need to decide on their return specialist, with Jimmy Horn drawing double duty in the return game. Horn has proven to be a worthy challenger to last year's primary returner, Trevor Etienne, and has shown his speed and elusiveness in the preseason.
The Panthers have one week left to settle these position battles before the regular season kicks off. The team will need to make some tough decisions on who will make the 53-man roster and who will be cut. The final week of the preseason will be crucial in determining the Panthers' starting lineup for the 2026 season.
Source: Yahoo Sports