Panthers training camp preview: Does the DL have enough depth?
Which players are sure to make it through the summer and onto the team's initial 53-man roster? Are there any wild-card candidates who can leave a lasting impression in the coming weeks? And which battles are worth keeping an eye on?
Here is our training camp preview for the Panthers' defensive line:
Locks
Carolina's defense, with Brown missing 16 of 17 outings due to a knee injury, allowed a league-high 179.8 rushing yards per game in 2024. The Pro Bowler is aiming to be back on the practice field for camp.
He'll be joined by two of the team's big free-agent signees in Wharton and Brown III. Their additions should open up the luxury of utilizing Robinson as a premium rotational piece.
Likely to make it
Tuttle did not fare well as the primary nose tackle last season. He remains in the fold after taking a pay cut.
Jackson and Crumedy are recent Day 3 draft picks. The former was selected in the fifth round of the 2025 draft and the latter, who was limited to just five games as a rookie because of a high-ankle sprain, went as a sixth-round in 2024.
On the bubble
Ray made nine starts in 2024. Pro Football Focus saddled him with a 33.0 overall defensive grade and a 31.5 run defense grade.
Battle to watch
Now that Brown III is lined up as the new starting nose tackle, Tuttle and Jackson could be fighting for reps as the backup. Jackson, at a massive 6-foot-6 and 328 pounds, may be better suited for the role.
Potential sleeper
The Panthers signed Harrison-Hunte this past spring as an undrafted free agent. He was a first-team All-ACC member in 2024, where he recorded 6.5 sacks for a strong Southern Methodist University squad.
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