Thoughts on all 50 Panthers holdovers from Matt Rhule-Steve Wilks era in training camp

Rebuilding takes time in the NFL. When one regime falls, another shows up in its place looking to improve upon the work of its predecessors. But that transition to power can lead to the new bosses borrowing some talent from the old brass.

The Carolina Panthers’ current roster is a worthwhile example of why a new-look organization always begins with several familiar faces. More than half of first-year head coach Frank Reich’s training camp roster is filled with holdovers from the 2022 season, which was led by Matt Rhule until Week 6 and Steve Wilks through the remainder of the campaign.

With GM Scott Fitterer retaining his post in the front office, it’s understandable why he wouldn’t want to dump all of his previous work, even with a new head coach at the helm. The team also had a free agency budget and only five draft picks this year.

The Panthers have 50 holdover players, who were either on the 53-man roster or practice squad, from the previous year. Some of those players will serve as key contributors during the first season of the Reich era.

Here is a look at all 50 returning players (in alphabetical order):

DE Henry Anderson

Anderson returns as a defensive line depth player as the Panthers transition to a 3-4 front. After a health scare stunted his first season in Carolina, Anderson will try to be a key cog for new defensive line coach Todd Wash.

OLB Amare Barno

A sixth-round pick in last year’s draft, Barno will look to make the most of the new defensive front. With a rare size-speed combination, he could also contribute on special teams.

RB Raheem Blackshear

Blackshear was picked up following the start of last season. He is well-liked by the front office and coaching staff because of his versatility on offense and his return ability on special teams.

C Bradley Bozeman

Bozeman re-signed with the Panthers on long-term deal in March. Now serving as the unquestioned starting center, Bozeman will lead the charge in front of first overall pick Bryce Young.

G Deonte Brown

A longtime practice-squad player, Brown is hoping to breakthrough under his new bosses. The Alabama alum is going to have a tough time in the numbers game this summer.

DT Derrick Brown

The former seventh overall pick seems primed to succeed in the new front. After a breakout year, Brown could be surging toward his first Pro Bowl if he plays his cards right and stays healthy.

RB Spencer Brown

Brown received carries during a two-game stretch last season. He will need to force the Panthers’ hand this summer in hopes of pushing himself onto the roster as the fourth running back.

OLB Brian Burns

The Panthers’ best player is coming off a career year. Following ankle surgery, Burns should be able to shine in a new front as he awaits a contract extension.

DB Jeremy Chinn

After a disappointing 2022 season, Chinn has received a role change under the new leadership. As the big nickel corner, he should be able to take advantage of his tweener traits and make his mark on the field.

G Brady Christensen

Christensen moved to left guard last season and had a strong second campaign. Now, he will need to hold off fourth-round pick Chandler Zavala and show even more progress this summer.

OT Larnel Coleman

The Panthers added Coleman off the Dolphins’ practice squad during the first half of last season. Coleman has yet to play a game for Carolina and he is facing an uphill battle in training camp.

G Austin Corbett

Corbett was placed on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list on Saturday. The starting right guard suffered a torn ACL in last season’s finale against the Saints, and he could miss regular-season action in September, as well.

QB Matt Corral

Last year’s third-round pick missed all of last season with a Lisfranc foot injury. He looked good during the spring, and he will need to continue to prove himself this summer to stick around.

OT Ikem Ekwonu

Last year’s first-round pick is a building block in the trenches. Year 2 could feature a major jump in talent and production for the NC State alum.

OT Cameron Erving

The Panthers re-signed Erving just before OTAs in May. The longtime swing tackle will need to have a solid summer to avoid any possible movement.

DB Sam Franklin

The Panthers re-signed Franklin this summer. The special teams ace will try to force his way onto the defensive side of the ball this year.

OLB Yetur Gross-Matos

Facing an awkward fit in a 3-4 defense, Gross-Matos has been praised by coaches because of his attitude toward a position switch. The former second-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie contract.

OLB Marquis Haynes

The longtime situational pass rusher had an excellent spring. In order to push his way into the starting lineup, he will need to thrive in pads during training camp and the preseason.

P Johnny Hekker

The former All-Pro punter still has an excellent leg. He’s also a terrific locker room presence as well.

CB CJ Henderson

The inconsistent cornerback needs to prove that he can play in the new system. With Jaycee Horn and Donte Jackson coming off injuries, Henderson should see plenty of reps this summer.

CB Jaycee Horn

Coming off an ankle injury, Horn needs stay healthy throughout the summer. When he’s in the lineup, Horn is among the best cornerbacks in the league.

RB Chuba Hubbard

Hubbard will back up Miles Sanders this season. He showed up to spring workouts in great shape, and he could be a suitable change-of-pace back in his third season.

CB Donte Jackson

Jackson watched the offseason program workouts from the sideline as he recovered from Achilles surgery. The longtime leader will look to bounce back when he is cleared to take reps during training camp.

LS JJ Jansen

The longtime long snapper’s nickname was influenced by a character on a popular ‘80s soap opera.

G Michael Jordan

No, this isn’t the former majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets. This Michael Jordan is a backup guard who will need to win a camp battle to keep his job.

OLB Kobe Jones

Jones, a practice-squad holdover, is buried deep on the depth chart. He might be a dark horse if he can thrive with extra preseason reps.

ILB Frankie Luvu

Luvu was a breakout star last year for the Panthers. The new regime will use him primarily as an inside linebacker, but he will also see work on the edge.

WR Terrace Marshall

The 2021 second-round pick appears to be primed for a breakout season. Competing for a starting job with rookie Jonathan Mingo, Marshall has the opportunity to be a primary weapon in Carolina this season.

G Cade Mays

Mays, a second-year lineman, is in the driver’s seat to replace Corbett at right guard to start camp. Mays has impressive versatility as a rare lineman who can play all five offensive line positions.

DT Marquan McCall

McCall could greatly benefit from the scheme change in Carolina. A traditional nose tackle, McCall is a great fit for a 3-4 front.

OLB Arron Mosby

Mosby will be playing on the edge this season. As a former college pass rusher, Mosby has a shot to stick out in a questionable position group.

OT Taylor Moton

The starting right tackle was excellent last season. He will take that momentum into an important campaign under a new staff.

K Eddy Piñeiro

The Panthers chose Piñeiro over Zane Gonzalez in March. While he had a major letdown against Atlanta last season, Piñeiro was among the top kickers in the league in 2022.

TE Giovanni Ricci

The former fullback showed some impressive route running skills late last season. He will need to force the Panthers to keep four tight ends to stick around.

DT Bravvion Roy

As an undersized nose tackle, Roy will need to get by on his intelligence and speed in the trenches. He is squarely on the bubble this summer.

WR C.J. Saunders

Saunders spent all of last season on the practice squad. He will need a monster performance this summer to get a promotion.

WR Laviska Shenault

The new staff is intrigued by Shenault’s versatility. He needs to stay healthy and consistent to be a key contributor as a gadget weapon.

ILB Brandon Smith

Last year’s fourth-round pick is an impressive athlete. In Year 2, Smith will need to prove that he can thrive on defense and special teams to have a game-day role.

WR Shi Smith

The Panthers signed a bunch of slot receivers and returners this offseason. Now, Smith will need to fight for his job in multiple competitions this summer.

TE Stephen Sullivan

Like Brandon Smith, Sullivan is an impressive athlete. He will need to take a major leap as a playmaker to push his way onto the roster.

CB Keith Taylor

Taylor had an up-and-down 2022 season. He will look to find some consistency under a new coaching staff in the secondary.

OL Sam Tecklenburg

Tecklenburg bounced on and off the 53-man roster over the past two seasons. He will try to earn his way on the depth chart through his versatility.

TE Ian Thomas

Thomas took a pay cut to stick around in Carolina. He will tandem with Hayden Hurst in two-tight end sets this year.

CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver

Thomas-Oliver missed most of last season with an injury. In the spring, Thomas-Oliver was praised for his versatility in the secondary, and he might have a shot at the backup nickel corner job this summer.

ILB Shaq Thompson

The Panthers’ longtime leader took a big pay cut to return to his only NFL team. During the spring, Thompson looked fast and fluid in Carolina’s new defensive scheme.

TE Tommy Tremble

The third-year tight end praised the new staff for its teaching ability in the spring. Tremble will look to have a career year, even with Hurst and Thomas ahead of him on the depth chart.

DT Raequan Williams

Williams spent most of last season on the practice squad. However, his skill set is perfect for the new 3-4 front, and he could be a dark horse for a deep depth job this summer.

S Xavier Woods

Woods needs to improve his playmaking ability this season. The veteran defender will be joined by Vonn Bell at safety this year.

ILB Chandler Wooten

Wooten is a special teams ace with some defensive versatility. He will push Brandon Smith and Kamu Grugier-Hill for playing time this summer.

WR Derek Wright

Wright, a practice-squad holdover, was having an impressive spring before suffering a wrist injury during OTAs. He will look to bounce back this summer and steal a deep depth job.

More training camp reading:

▪ Panthers’ 53-man roster projection: How many RBs and WRs will Carolina keep after camp?

▪ Panthers training camp storylines: Young’s growth, Reich’s second chance top the list

▪ Panthers training camp: Corral, Shenault among returning players competing on roster bubble

▪ How Panthers lineman went from loading Amazon trucks to signing with hometown team

▪ Bryce Young is built for starting role: 5 takeaways on Panthers rookies