[vc_row_inner no_margin=”true” padding_top=”0px” padding_bottom=”0px” border=”none”]In Tuesday’s BBR This Morning, we took a look at the Panthers’ post-draft roster by position. Today, we break it down player-by-player.

STARTERS

REC/TE: Benjamin, Cotchery, Olsen

OL: Bell, Chandler, Kalil, Scott, Silatolu

RB: Tolbert, Williams

QB: Newton

DL: Edwards, Hardy, Johnson, Lotulelei

LB: Blackburn, Davis, Kuechly

DB: Cason, DeCoud, Harper, White

QUARTERBACKS

Anderson: Backup has four attempts in four seasons. Signed two-year deal in March.

Newton: Panthers hope offseason surgery will correct ankle problems. Line and receivers are bigger issues. 

Webb: Former Vikings quarterback and receiver signed to take snaps while Newton recovers. 

RUNNING BACKS

Barner: 2013 sixth-round pick found little playing time in loaded backfield. Could win return role. 

Brockel (TE/FB): Glue guy has myriad of roles on special teams and in offense. 

Gaffney: Hard to see where sixth-round pick fits in, but could help on special teams.

Stewart: Despite two lost seasons, he has plenty left. All depends on how body responds. 

Tolbert: Earned first Pro Bowl berth in 2013. He is more dynamic than typical fullbacks. 

Williams: Not as much wear-and-tear as most 31-year-old backs, but for how much longer?

Zordich: Undrafted rookie tore ACL in preseason opener. Could be practice squad material.

RECEIVERS

Avant: 12 touchdowns over eight seasons. Brought in more for solid locker room presence.

Benjamin: No. 1 receiver potential, but early expectations should be tempered.

Cotchery: Former Steeler smashed career-high with 10 touchdowns in 2013. No. 2 at best.

Dickson (TE): Panthers hope change of scenery will help former Raven fulfill potential.

Jefferson (TE): On team with good tight end depth, he is on the Outside looking in at roster spot.

King: Panthers think Broncos’ 2013 fifth-rounder could flourish if given a chance.

McNeill (TE): After three years with Rams, he should take Ben Hartsock’s roster spot. 

McNutt: Another unknown young guy Panthers are high on. Opportunities will be there. 

Olsen (TE): Last season’s leading receiver is quarterback Cam Newton’s security blanket. 

Pilares: Tore ACL last preseason. Will be a fight to stay on roster for a fourth season.

Underwood: Speedster replaces the departed Ted Ginn. Could also return kicks.

Williams: Physical specimen is still a project going into his second season.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Bell (T): Leaky during three seasons on the right side, gets first crack to win left tackle job.

Bond (G/T): Signed late last season off Vikings’ practice squad. Could be a sleeper. 

Chandler (T): Converted defensive tackle, turned guard, turned offensive tackle. 

Folkerts (C): Provides offensive line depth, but long shot for a significant role.

Hughes (G/T): Signed by Carolina in January after bounding around on practice squads.

Kalil (C): Four-time Pro Bowler is line’s anchor both on field and in locker room.

Kugbila (G): Fourth-round pick missed all of rookie season with injuries and still rehabbing.

Manley (G): Likely a camp body or practice squad player at best.  

Scott (G): Signed by Panthers in training camp and filled in at battered guard spot for eight starts.

Silatolu (G): Was improving until ACL tear in Week 4 cut season short. Will regain starting job.  

Turner (G): Big, bruising third-round pick from LSU could earn starting role by Week 1. 

Williams (G): Started Week 1 at right guard and then tore ACL. Provides good depth. 

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Addison (E): Earned bigger role as 2013 went on. Could play himself into rotation. 

Alexander (E): After promising rookie year, he disappointed last year. Suspended first four games. 

Cole (T): Successfully returned after two years away from the game. Rotational guy.

Ealy (E): Panthers ecstatic to grab him in second round. Could see most time inside as rookie. 

Edwards (T): Was never truly healthy last year, but still productive through 11 games. 

Gaydosh (T): 2013 CFL No. 1 pick had back surgery last August. Will be tough to stick on deep line.

Hall (E): Racked up 15 sacks in CFL last year. Could steal a roster spot, but likely practice squad.

Hardy (E): After two breakthrough years, offseason has included franchise tag and an arrest.

Horton (E): 2013 undrafted free agent had decent production in 10 games. 

Johnson (E): Injuries slowed him down a bit last year, but averaged 11 sacks past four seasons.

Lotulelei (T): Was everything Panthers hoped as a first-round pick. Will only get better. 

Nevis (T): Picked up off waivers in May, will find it tough to earn a spot on loaded line.

Short (T): Together with Lotulelei, could be foundation of Carolina’s tackle position for years.

LINEBACKERS

Blackburn (M): Former Giant was modestly productive in 13 starts. Starting job not guaranteed. 

Davis (O): Despite a snub, played at a Pro Bowl level. Turned 31 in March. 

Jacobs (O): Spent most of last season at practice squad. Best case is he sticks there again. 

Klein (O): Played in all 16 games making two impressive starts. Will challenge Blackburn. 

Kuechly (M): Rookie of the Year followed by Defensive Player of the Year. A budding star. 

Smith (O): Had earned starting role in Green Bay before tearing ACL in 2012. Still trying. 

Williams (O): Has bounced on and off Panthers roster since 2010. Could be new special teams leader. 

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Benwikere (CB): Panthers traded up to nab him in fifth round. Could start at nickel.

Boston (S): May have been fourth-round reach, but he could get a shot to help right away.

Cason (CB): Reunited with former Chargers coach Ron Rivera, has chance to prove he can still play.

DeCoud (S): Struggled in 2013 after making previous season’s Pro Bowl. Penciled in at free safety.

Dockery (CB): Played just five games last year before being placed on injured reserve with shoulder. 

Godfrey (CB): Solid starter tore Achilles in Week 2. Best chance now is at nickel. 

Harper (S): Former division foe with Saints, he is expected to start at strong safety. 

Jones (S): Heading into his fourth season, he has carved out a nice career on special teams. 

Lester (S): 2013 undrafted rookie started four games. Will continue to have a key role. 

Menzie (CB): Signed as a free agent in January, will be hard to find a roster spot. 

Norman (CB): After losing starting job in 2012, had strong preseason. Active just seven times. 

Russell (S): Has been hanging around outskirts of Panthers practice squad and roster since 2012. 

Thomas (CB): Lost starting job after Week 7 and he is not guaranteed a job in 2014.

White (CB): 2013 undrafted free agent started last 10 games and has inside track on role this year. 

SPECIALISTS

Gano (K): Missed just three field goals and led league in touchback percentage in 2013. 

Jansen (LS): Added to 2013 Pro Bowl roster, as dependable as a long-snapper gets. 

Nortman (P): After shaky first season, improved greatly last year. Could be long timer in Carolina. 

BBR NUGGETS

• There’s plenty of unknowns in the Greg Hardy case. Here’s what we do know after his first court appearance.
• Police released 911 calls from Tuesday morning. They don’t really clear anything up.
• Disappointed in the Panthers’ draft? Dallas may be slightly jealous.

COMING UP

I’ll be hosting The Drive with Jonathan Jones today from 2-6 on WFNZ. We’re hoping to grab a Panthers-related guest, and we’ll obviously spend most of the afternoon talking Panthers. FYI: I’m also on the schedule next Monday and Tuesday. It’s not a tryout, I’m just filling in. Haven’t done four hours of radio in 12 years, so we’ll see ……

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