Panthers' depth chart reveals far more about a first-round pick than the team would like

With the Carolina Panthers preseason opener slated for Thursday against the New England Patriots, the team revealed its first depth chart – giving the public a look at how the roster stands after half a month of training camp .

The depth chart, released Monday, is still fluid. Where players stand now isn't necessarily where they will be when the regular season begins.

However, it does provide some interesting insight into how Dave Canales and his staff look at the players on a roster radically different from a season ago.

Carolina Panthers offense

Most notably, the Panthers have three wide receivers as starters.

Those players are veteran Adam Thielen, newcomer Diontae Johnson, and second-year pass catcher Jonathan Mingo.

2024 First-round draft pick Xavier Legette is listed as a second-team wide receiver .

Mingo has started training camp hot . He has often discussed how the game is slowing down for him and he feels far more comfortable heading into year two than his rookie run in 2023.

That reality is now on the depth chart, as he and Legette fight for the same starting spot in the Panthers' receiver group.

At other positions: Behind quarterback Bryce Young are three backups – Andy Dalton, Jack Plummer and Jake Luton.

Dalton is expected to miss some time with a quad injury. The Panthers brought in a familiar face in Jake Luton as a result.

On the offensive line are Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton at the tackle spots, Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt (guards), and Austin Corbett (center).

In the running back department, Chuba Hubbard is still the lead man, despite Miles Sanders claiming he is in a far better position to succeed heading into the 2024 season.

Carolina Panthers defense

On the defense, there is also some intrigue to be discussed.

Currently, DJ Johnson is listed as the starting outside linebacker opposite newcomer Jadeveon Clowney. Carolina's pass rush is still extremely suspect. Additions at the outside linebacker position are most likely coming as Dan Morgan continues to search for ways to improve the roster.

Then in the secondary is Jayce Horn and Dane Jackson at corner, Xavier Woods and Jordan Fuller at safety and Toy Hill at nickelback. All is to be expected.

In the kicking battle, Eddy Piñeiro is holding on to the starting kicker spot over Harrison Mevis thus far.

The full Carolina Panthers depth chart can be viewed here .