The Carolina Panthers just released their offical 2017-18 roster, which includes all seven drafted rookies, one undrafted rookie, eight players signed in the offseason and 37 players who spent time on the roster in 2016.
Here are the 53 men who will hopefully be taking us to Superbowl 52:
QUARTERBACKS (2): Cam Newton, Derek Anderson (this is the first time since 2013 the Panthers will only have 2 QBs on the roster)
RUNNING BACKS (5): Jonathan Stewart, Christian McCaffrey, Fozzy Whittaker, Cameron Artis-Payne, Alex Armah (The decision to go with only 2 QBs instead of the usual 3 allowed the Panthers to keep 1 more RB).
WIDE RECEIVERS (6): Kelvin Benjamin, Devin Funchess, Curtis Samuel, Russell Shepard, Damiere Byrd, Kaelin Clay
TIGHT ENDS (3): Greg Olsen, Ed Dickson, Chris Manhertz
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (9): Ryan Kalil (C), Matt Kalil (OT), Daryl Williams (OT), Trai Turner (G), Andrew Norwell (G), Tyler Larsen (C), Taylor Moton (OT), Amini Silatolu (G), Greg Van Roten (C)
DEFENSIVE ENDS (5): Charles Johnson, Mario Addison, Julius Peppers, Wes Horton, Daeshon Hall
DEFENSIVE TACKLES (4): Star Lotulelei, Kawann Short, Vernon Butler, Kyle Love
LINEBACKERS (7): Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, Shaq Thompson, David Mayo, Jeremy Cash, Jared Norris, Ben Jacobs
DEFENSIVE BACKS (8): James Bradberry (CB), Daryl Worley (CB), Kurt Coleman (S), Mike Adams (S), Colin Jones (S), Captain Munnerlyn (CB), Corn Elder (CB), Cole Luke (CB)
SPECIALISTS (4): Graham Gano, Harrison Butker, Michael Palardy, J.J. Jansen
After yesterday’s roster lineup was announced, Panther fans began to let the opinions fly on social media – with most of the anger directed at the decision to only keep 2 QBs;
There's absolutely no valid reason to cut Joe Webb
— Parker Cowan (@P_Cown) September 2, 2017
D A is still on this roster??? And we cut Webb????? Seriously
— A. Luhrs (@Luhrsmania) September 2, 2017
That's a valuable roster spot to be wasting on a second kicker, pick one and move on
— Justin Pence (@justinpence) September 3, 2017
Most of the guys I wanted on the roster are making it so that's good, cutting Webb and keeping DA is a bummer
— Marxist Panther (@marxistpanther) September 2, 2017
It’s still yet to be seen what trades the Panthers might make with their new roster, so some of these positions could shift in the coming weeks.
What do you think about this season’s roster?