3. Linebacker
Starters: Shaq Thompson, Tahir Whitehead
Backups: Jermaine Carter Jr., Andre Smith, Jordan Kunaszyk, Jordan Mack, David Reese II, Chris Orr, Chris Ferris, Sione Teuhema, Sam Franklin
Analysis: Losing Luke Kuechly to an early retirement is an undeniable bummer and it’s practically impossible to replace him. Drafting Isaiah Simmons would have helped, but it’s too late for that now. Signing Whitehead was a critical move, as he’ll give defensive coordinator Phil Snow another option if Thompson has a tough time adjusting to Kuechly’s old MLB role. The Panthers also signed a number of promising linebackers as undrafted free agents. Jordan Mack is the best of them, but we can expect a few to make the final 53-man roster.