The Carolina Panthers are heading into the new league year with a new outlook, given the recent praise coming from all directions, a first for Carolina Panthers fans. Last year, the Panthers were dead last in defense, ranked in the bottom 5 for offensive output, while QB Bryce Young showed signs of improvement down the stretch. First-time Head Coach Dave Canales also finished his season firmly in his chair, something former HC Frank Reich couldn’t even do. Now, as the 2025 league year continues to ramp up ahead of rookie mini-camps this Friday and Saturday, the team is receiving glowing praise from all over, including unlikely sources such as PFF and ESPN.
With ranking coming in from A+ to B-, the Carolina Panthers continued that high by bringing in a bunch of amazing UDFA to compete to make the 53. Here are my top 5 players that I hope can continue this early win, only to get another bigger win in making the 53.
WR Moose Muhammad III
Native Carolina-born Moose comes from a special family, one headed up by former Panthers great in Mushin Muhammad II. Moose has come off of a career focused mainly on special teams and trying to help the already great group of WR that Texas A&M had, putting Moose in a scenario where his best chance to make the roster is on special teams. Last year the Carolina Panthers used 7 different WR on special teams, allowing this role to be very much a chance for the young WR.
WR Jimmy Horn Jr.
The addition of Horn might seem odd given the fact that he was drafted by the Carolina Panthers, yet that didn’t fair the same for the 2024 Draft pick in Michael Barrett. Horn Jr can pair up with another young son of a former professional in Moose, allowing for an incredibly dynamic special-teams pair that can rival many others. The 5’9″ WR is incredibly shift, coming up with over 1,000 receiving yards during his 2 years with Colorado, who famously had the WR1 many saw in Travis Hunter.
PK Ryan Fitzgerald
Leaving Florida State in 2025 for the NFL Draft, he left behind a legacy that included being 3rd in 50-yard field goals, 4th in made PAT, 5th in points scored, and 7th in made field goals All-Time at Florida State. This First-Team All-American, Don Powell Award winner, and a part of the first AFCA pair alongside P Alex Mastromanno. Fitzgerald could immediately play a role as the long-term kicker in Carolina, given the recent changes to the room since 2024.
S Isaac Gifford
Carolina took a safety in the draft in Lathan Ransom, a player more focused on the SS role or “box safety,” giving the ability of Isaac Gifford to sneak into that FS role in a big way. Gifford is coming off a Nebraska legacy with former Carolina Panthers HC in Matt Rhule that includes a 4-time Academic All-Big Ten, Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, 10-time Nebraska Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll, multiple citizenship and leadership awards – oh and 13 games with 73 tackles leading the school, playing the 3rd most games in the program’s history. Gifford will have time to develop alongside Ransom, giving this pick a great chance to affect the team now.
LB Tuasivi Nomura
The LB from Fresno State continues to wow not only Panthers creators, but honestly, is probably going to blow away HC Dave Canales – the Cali-to-Cali connection. Nomura is from Corona, California, lending to the idea that the Cali-connection we keep speaking on will continue, while also allowing for him to develop into a coverage LB. Nomura is coming off a senior season with the Bulldogs where he would start every game, end with 110 total tackles, voted team captain by his teammates, CSC Academic All-District, Academic All-Mountain West, while also being recognized by the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year committee. Nomura has a chance to immediately come into town, show us that he can do it, and he surpasses Jewell by the end of the year!
While Carolina may still be trying to figure out if Bryce Young is the answer, this year’s draft finally began to push the tides of war towards a positive place for fans, allowing them to breathe. Coming off the Rhule to Reich debacle, the fanbase wanted stability, and as critical as I’ve been of Owner David Tepper, I think this a roster worth keeping your ice for.
#KeepPounding
