Six Panthers Competitions Worth Monitoring During OTAs and Mandatory Minicamp

As the NFL offseason progresses, the Carolina Panthers are entering a critical phase of preparation. With rookie minicamp in the rearview mirror, the focus now shifts to organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp. While training camp later in the summer will be the ultimate proving ground, the groundwork for roster spots, positional hierarchies, and schematic implementation begins now.

Coming off a 2–15 season, the Panthers are in full rebuild mode under first-year head coach Dave Canales and his new-look staff. The team is emphasizing development, discipline, and competition. With young cornerstone quarterback Bryce Young looking to bounce back from a rocky rookie season, and a defense under Ejiro Evero that continues to show promise, OTAs and minicamp are invaluable for setting the tone for what could be a pivotal 2025 campaign.

Here are six key position battles and competitions that deserve close attention as the Panthers ramp up activities in Charlotte.

1. WR2 and WR3: Who Steps Up Behind Diontae Johnson?

The Panthers’ trade for Diontae Johnson this offseason gave Bryce Young a much-needed veteran route technician. But the big question remains: who will fill out the receiver depth chart behind him?

Last year’s second-round pick Jonathan Mingo enters Year 2 with high expectations. A raw but physically gifted receiver, Mingo struggled with route consistency and drops during his rookie year but has reportedly worked extensively this offseason on polishing his game.

“I want to be the guy Bryce can count on,” Mingo told reporters. “I wasn’t happy with how I played last year. I know I’ve got more to show.”

Mingo is likely slotted for the WR2 job right now, but he’ll face stiff competition from newly signed Adam Thielen, DJ Chark, and rookie Xavier Legette—a first-round pick from South Carolina.

Legette’s arrival adds real juice to the competition. At 6’3”, 227 pounds with 4.39 speed, he profiles as a vertical threat with strong hands and big-play ability. His early chemistry with Young will be crucial, especially as Canales implements a more motion-heavy, play-action-based offense.

The WR3 spot could be a rotating role depending on matchups, but Thielen’s reliability, Chark’s deep speed, and Legette’s upside make this a battle worth monitoring.

Early favorite: Mingo and Legette in 2-WR sets, Thielen in the slot for 3-WR packages.

2. Cornerback Depth Chart: Who Starts Opposite Jaycee Horn?

Jaycee Horn is the unquestioned CB1 when healthy, but his injury history makes the rest of the depth chart vitally important. The Panthers must figure out who can be trusted at CB2 and in nickel packages.

Dane Jackson, signed in free agency after a solid stint with the Bills, brings experience and physicality. However, third-year corner CJ Henderson is running out of chances to prove he belongs as a full-time starter. Meanwhile, Troy Hill offers slot versatility, and young players like D’Shawn Jamison and rookie Mike Sainristil (Michigan) could push for rotational roles.

Sainristil, drafted in the third round, may prove to be a sleeper to watch. He was one of the nation’s top nickel defenders in college and plays with a chip on his shoulder.

“I’m not here to wait my turn. I want to compete now,” Sainristil said during rookie minicamp.

With Evero’s defense relying heavily on disguised coverages and match-zone principles, the mental sharpness of these corners will matter as much as raw talent.

Early favorite: Jackson opposite Horn, Sainristil in the slot—but fluid depending on health and camp performances.

3. Right Guard: Cade Mays vs. Chandler Zavala vs. Free Agent Option?

The Panthers’ offensive line was a disappointment last season, particularly on the interior. While Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton bookend the line, the guard positions remain unsettled.

At right guard, a true competition is brewing between Cade Mays, Chandler Zavala, and possibly a still-to-be-added veteran. Mays started games in 2023 but was inconsistent in pass protection. Zavala, a fourth-round pick from NC State in 2023, struggled with injuries and looked overwhelmed when healthy.

Both linemen are physically gifted, but the question is who can win the mental and technical battles required in Canales’ zone-heavy run scheme.

With no sure thing emerging yet, the Panthers could still make a move in free agency to bring in a stabilizing presence. Veterans like Dalton Risner or Mark Glowinski remain unsigned and could provide immediate competition.

Young needs cleaner pockets and more reliable guard play. OTAs and minicamp will give the staff their first real sense of who’s progressing.

Early favorite: Mays, with a watchful eye on Zavala and potential FA additions.

4. Backup QB: Andy Dalton vs. Spencer Rattler

While the starting quarterback spot is firmly in Bryce Young’s hands, the backup role is far from settled—and it’s more important than most think.

Veteran Andy Dalton was re-signed to be a steady presence in the QB room and serve as a mentor. But the Panthers used a fifth-round pick on Spencer Rattler, the former Oklahoma and South Carolina standout, who offers significant long-term intrigue.

Rattler has a cannon arm, mobility, and swagger—but also has a history of erratic play and inconsistent decision-making. Still, early reports out of rookie minicamp praised his leadership, accuracy, and command of the playbook.

“Spencer’s picking it up quicker than we expected,” said QB coach Brad Idzik. “He’s hungry and asking the right questions.”

Dalton may hold the early edge with his experience and knowledge, but if Rattler can show growth and poise in Canales’ offense, there’s a real shot he could be QB2 by September.

Early favorite: Dalton for now, but Rattler will push hard.

5. Inside Linebacker: Who Lines Up Next to Shaq Thompson?

Veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson is back after an early-season injury in 2023 and remains the vocal leader of the defense. But who will start next to him in the middle of Evero’s defense?

The main contenders are:

• Josey Jewell, a reliable tackler who followed Evero from Denver
• Kamu Grugier-Hill, an athletic hybrid who can cover tight ends
• Brandon Smith, a developmental player with sideline-to-sideline range
• Rookie Trevin Wallace (Kentucky), drafted in Round 4

Jewell may have the inside track due to his familiarity with Evero’s system. He’s smart, instinctual, and always around the ball, but lacks elite range. That could open the door for Wallace, who offers more explosiveness and man coverage upside.

“We’re going to rotate a lot and see what works best,” Evero said in a recent media session. “This group has different skill sets we can match to the offense.”

Expect this battle to go deep into the summer, but the early reps in OTAs and minicamp will shape how the staff stacks the depth chart.

Early favorite: Jewell, with Wallace earning a serious look.

6. Tight End: Can Anyone Separate from the Pack?

The tight end room is murky heading into 2025. While Tommy Tremble returns as the presumed TE1, the Panthers brought in competition to spark more production at a position that underwhelmed last year.

Tremble is a strong blocker and underrated athlete but has yet to break out as a receiving threat. Behind him are:

• Ian Thomas, a veteran known more for his blocking
• Stephen Sullivan, a converted wide receiver with vertical ability
• Rookie Jaheim Bell (Florida State), an H-back style weapon with big-play upside

Canales’ offense in Tampa Bay utilized multiple tight ends and put them in motion to create matchup advantages. That bodes well for Bell, who can line up in the slot or backfield and stretch defenses horizontally.

“We’re going to be creative with how we use tight ends,” said Canales. “I love guys who can block on one play and run routes from the slot on the next.”

The battle here isn’t just for TE1—there’s a real chance for two or even three TEs to be regular parts of the game plan, depending on how they perform this offseason.

Early favorite: Tremble starts, Bell becomes a wild card weapon.

Opportunity Everywhere

The Carolina Panthers are entering a new era under Dave Canales. With a young quarterback, a revamped coaching staff, and a defense ready to take the next step, competition will be the lifeblood of the offseason.

OTAs and minicamp are about far more than just conditioning and playbook installation. For young players, it’s a chance to grab a foothold. For veterans, it’s about showing leadership and locking down roles. And for the staff, it’s about building culture and identifying foundational pieces.

Carolina fans should watch these six competitions closely, as they will not only shape the final 53-man roster—but may well determine whether this rebuilding team can exceed expectations in 2025.

If even half of these battles result in breakout contributors, the Panthers could be a sneaky riser in the NFC South.