CAROLINA PANTHERS

Carolina Panthers release first depth chart of the NFL preseason

Former NC State standout Ikem Ekwonu listed as starter at left offensive tackle

Published

August 5, 2024

Ikem Ekwonu (NC State), top, and Ricky Lee (NCCU/NC A&T) are listed as the starting and back-up left tackle respectively for the Carolina Panthers. Photos courtesy Carolina Panthers | Panthers.com

COURTESY CAROLINA PANTHERS | PANTHERS.COM

CHARLOTTE — The Carolina Panthers released their first depth chart of the NFL’s 2024 preseason.

Former NC State standout Ikem Ekwonu takes the starting spot at left tackle. Ricky Lee, who started his college career at North Carolina Central before transferring to North Carolina A&T, will be his backup.

Chandler Zavala, an all-conference pick at NC State in 2022, also plays on the left side of the Panthers’ offensive line. He’s listed as the No. 2 left guard.

Canadian born Luiji Vilain, who played for Wake Forest in 2021, is listed as a third-string outside linebacker behind DJ Johnson and Eku Leota.

As expected former Alabama standout Bryce Young remains as QB1 for Carolina, with Andy Dalton and Jack Plummer as the primary backups. Chuba Hubbard is inked in as the starting running back. Dionte Johnson, Adam Thielen and Jonathan Mingo are the starting receivers. Rookie wideout Xavier Legette is on the second team for now.

Carolina will play its first preseason game on Thursday night at New England.

Carolina Panthers Depth Chart – Offense

(Courtesy Panthers.com)

Position	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th
WR	Diontae Johnson	Terrace Marshall Jr.	Mike Strachan
LT	Ikem Ekwonu	Ricky Lee	Jeremiah Crawford
LG	Damien Lewis	Chandler Zavala	Nash Jensen
C	Austin Corbett	Cade Mays	Brady Christensen	Andrew Raym
RG	Robert Hunt	Brady Christensen	J.D. DiRenzo
RT	Taylor Moton	Badara Traore
TE	Tommy Tremble	Ja’Tavion Sanders	Feleipe Franks
TE	Ian Thomas	Jordan Matthews	Jacob Hollister	Jesper Horsted
WR	Adam Thielen	Ihmir Smith-Marsette	David Moore	Deven Thompkins
WR	Jonathan Mingo	Xavier Legette	Jalen Coker
QB	Bryce Young	Andy Dalton	Jack Plummer	Jake Luton
RB	Chuba Hubbard	Miles Sanders	Raheem Blackshear	Mike Boone	Jaden Shirden	Dillon Johnson

Carolina Panthers Depth Chart – Defense

(Courtesy Panthers.com)

Defense

Position	1st	2nd	3rd	4th
DE	Derrick Brown	T.J. Smith	Jaden Crumedy
DT	Shy Tuttle	Nick Thurman	Ulumoo Ale
DE	A’Shawn Robinson	LaBryan Ray	Junior Aho
OLB	Jadeveon Clowney	K’Lavon Chaisson	Kenny Dyson	Cam Gill
LB	Shaq Thompson	Claudin Cherelus	Chandler Wooten	Michael Barrett
LB	Josey Jewell	Trevin Wallace	Tae Davis	Jackson Mitchell
OLB	DJ Johnson	Eku Leota	Luiji Vilain	Derrick McLendon
CB	Jaycee Horn	Lamar Jackson	D’Shawn Jamison
CB	Dane Jackson	Dicaprio Bootle	Willie Drew	Anthony Brown
S	Xavier Woods	Nick Scott	Demani Richardson
S	Jordan Fuller	Alex Cook	Clayton Isbell	Sam Franklin Jr.
NCB	Troy Hill	Chau Smith-Wade	Jammie Robinson

Carolina Panthers Depth Chart – Special Teams

(Courtesy Panthers.com)

Position	1st	2nd	3rd	4th
KR	Raheem Blackshear	Ihmir Smith-Marsette	Deven Thompkins	David Moore
PR	Ihmir Smith-Marsette	Raheem Blackshear	Deven Thompkins	David Moore
LS	JJ Jansen
P	Johnny Hekker
K	Eddy Piñeiro	Harrison Mevis