# Zach Roberts: Roberts projects the Carolina Panthers' 53-man roster following the Hall of Fame Game, naming every player they expect to make the team at each position, and pegs AJ Dillon as the fourth running back on the depth chart. **Claimed:** Aug 13, 2026 **Pundit:** Zach Roberts — https://missedtakes.co/pundits/zach-roberts **Outlet:** Sports Illustrated — https://missedtakes.co/outlets/sports-illustrated **How it reached us:** published in writing **Original:** https://www.si.com/nfl/panthers/onsi/carolina-panthers-53-man-roster-projection-after-hall-of-fame-game 54 checkable claims — 53 roster spot calls and 1 depth chart call — each graded on its own rather than as one all-or-nothing call. It names 55 players and teams, each linked to their own record. 47 of 54 have settled so far, averaging 95.7 out of 100, against 78.7 for a naive guess at the same calls. > As good as AJ Dillon was in the Hall of Fame Game, he's RB4 as of now since Trevor Etienne plays special teams, and that matters a lot with limited roster spots. *(their words, quoted for attribution)* ## The claims - **Corey Thornton to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Corey Thornton, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Trevor Etienne to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Trevor Etienne, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Ja'Seem Reed to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Ja'Seem Reed, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Devin Lloyd to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Devin Lloyd, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Chau Smith-Wade to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Chau Smith-Wade, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Claudin Cherelus to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Claudin Cherelus, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Lee Hunter to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Lee Hunter, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Ja'Tavion Sanders to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Ja'Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Zakee Wheatley to be cut** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Zakee Wheatley, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Tre'von Moehrig to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Tre'von Moehrig, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Luke Fortner to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Luke Fortner, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Isaiah Simmons to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Isaiah Simmons, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **John Metchie III to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: John Metchie III, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Nick Scott to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Nick Scott, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Lathan Ransom to be cut** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Lathan Ransom, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 0 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Bryce Young to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Damien Lewis to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Damien Lewis, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Mitchell Evans to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Mitchell Evans, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Jimmy Horn Jr. to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Jimmy Horn Jr., Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Kenny Pickett to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Kenny Pickett, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Jackson Kuwatch to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Jackson Kuwatch, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Jonathon Brooks to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Jonathon Brooks, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Sam Hecht to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Sam Hecht, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Albert Reese to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Albert Reese, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Cam Jackson to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Cam Jackson, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Jalen Coker to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Sam Martin to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Sam Martin, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Derrick Brown to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Derrick Brown, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Xavier Legette to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Tetairoa McMillan to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Rasheed Walker to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Rasheed Walker, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Akayleb Evans to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Akayleb Evans, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Mike Jackson to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Mike Jackson, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Jaelan Phillips to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Jaelan Phillips, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Chuba Hubbard to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Will Lee to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Will Lee, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **J.J. Jansen to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: J.J. Jansen, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Princely Umanmielen to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Princely Umanmielen, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Haynes King to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Haynes King, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Tommy Tremble to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Tommy Tremble, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Bobby Brown III to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Bobby Brown III, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Robert Hunt to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Robert Hunt, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Jaycee Horn to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Jaycee Horn, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Stone Forsythe to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Stone Forsythe, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Ryan Fitzgerald to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Ryan Fitzgerald, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Monroe Freeling to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Monroe Freeling, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 0 for a naive guess - **Brycen Tremayne to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Brycen Tremayne, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: scored 100 out of 100, against 100 for a naive guess - **Chandler Zavala to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Chandler Zavala, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Trevin Wallace to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Trevin Wallace, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Cam Gill to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Cam Gill, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Brady Christensen to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Brady Christensen, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: not settled yet - **Elijah Garcia to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: Elijah Garcia, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: not settled yet - **AJ Dillon to be 4th on the depth chart** - Kind: Depth Chart Calls · About: AJ Dillon, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: not settled yet - **JT Jones to make the roster** - Kind: Roster Spot Calls · About: JT Jones, Carolina Panthers - Verdict: not settled yet ## Who this take is about - Corey Thornton — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/corey-thornton - Carolina Panthers — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/teams/panthers - Trevor Etienne — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/trevor-etienne - Ja'Seem Reed — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/ja-seem-reed - Devin Lloyd — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/devin-lloyd - Chau Smith-Wade — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/chau-smith-wade - Claudin Cherelus — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/claudin-cherelus - Lee Hunter — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/lee-hunter - Ja'Tavion Sanders — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/ja-tavion-sanders - Zakee Wheatley — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/zakee-wheatley - Tre'von Moehrig — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tre-von-moehrig - Luke Fortner — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/luke-fortner - Isaiah Simmons — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/isaiah-simmons - John Metchie III — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/john-metchie-iii - Nick Scott — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/nick-scott - Lathan Ransom — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/lathan-ransom - Bryce Young — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/bryce-young - Damien Lewis — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/damien-lewis - Mitchell Evans — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/mitchell-evans - Jimmy Horn Jr. — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jimmy-horn-jr - Kenny Pickett — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/kenny-pickett - Jackson Kuwatch — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jackson-kuwatch - Jonathon Brooks — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jonathon-brooks - Sam Hecht — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/sam-hecht - Albert Reese — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/albert-reese - Cam Jackson — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/cam-jackson - Jalen Coker — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jalen-coker - Sam Martin — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/sam-martin - Derrick Brown — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/derrick-brown - Xavier Legette — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/xavier-legette - Tetairoa McMillan — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tetairoa-mcmillan - Rasheed Walker — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/rasheed-walker - Akayleb Evans — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/akayleb-evans - Mike Jackson — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/mike-jackson - Jaelan Phillips — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jaelan-phillips - Chuba Hubbard — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/chuba-hubbard - Will Lee — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/will-lee - J.J. Jansen — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/j-j-jansen - Princely Umanmielen — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/princely-umanmielen - Haynes King — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/haynes-king - Tommy Tremble — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/tommy-tremble - Bobby Brown III — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/bobby-brown-iii - Robert Hunt — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/robert-hunt - Jaycee Horn — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jaycee-horn - Stone Forsythe — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/stone-forsythe - Ryan Fitzgerald — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/ryan-fitzgerald - Monroe Freeling — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/monroe-freeling - Brycen Tremayne — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/brycen-tremayne - Chandler Zavala — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/chandler-zavala - Trevin Wallace — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/trevin-wallace - Cam Gill — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/cam-gill - Brady Christensen — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/brady-christensen - Elijah Garcia — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/elijah-garcia - AJ Dillon — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/aj-dillon - JT Jones — https://missedtakes.co/nfl/players/jt-jones ## What others said about the same people - Nick Wright on Carolina Panthers: Wright made several outright game calls for Week 9 alongside their spread picks: Kansas City beating the Jets 31-20, Detroit winning at Miami, New England edging Green Bay by a field goal or so, Carolina winning outright over Denver, and Houston blowing out the Chargers 27-12. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/14c1f8dd-d8ff-498f-b705-4b468ff964f8 (scored 0) - Mitchell Eisenstein on Carolina Panthers: Mitchell gave their Week 9 top-five power rankings, keeping Buffalo first and the 49ers second while elevating the Bears, Jaguars and Lions, and picked a slate of Week 9 games including a Packers win in New England, a Panthers upset of Denver, and blowouts for Detroit, Kansas City and Houston. They also tabbed Jonah Coleman as a late-season Offensive Rookie of the Year pick. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/6a1c5f64-cb1f-4e3d-846c-281720efb544 (scored 42.86) - Cody Rourke on Carolina Panthers: Rourke predicts the Broncos finish 13-4 in 2026, going 4-2 over a brutal opening six games, sweeping Kansas City again, and losing only at San Francisco, at home to Seattle, at Carolina and on Christmas Day to Buffalo. They also expect Carolina to return to the playoffs. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/129244f8-9c9e-4e2a-917c-bc2c74cfee05 (scored 0) - Chris Simms on Carolina Panthers: After the Bears beat the Patriots on Thursday night, Simms said they wouldn't be shocked to see the two meet in the Super Bowl, and then gave predicted final scores for every Week 7 game, including Seattle over Kansas City on Sunday night and Dallas winning in Philadelphia. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/00bbce33-10f7-44e0-b3c0-076e6bc74841 (scored 2.38) - Connor Rogers on Carolina Panthers: Rogers picked winners for every Week 7 game, taking the Chiefs to win in Seattle, the Packers to upset the Lions in Detroit and Dallas to win in Philadelphia, and said they don't expect a banged-up Arizona running back to play. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3ef360c7-68b4-41c2-841b-d77052cca866 (scored 0) - John Middlekauff on Carolina Panthers: After the Bears-Patriots Thursday night game, Middlekauff called both Chicago and New England playoff teams, leaned Steelers, Vikings, Panthers, Bengals, Raiders, Packers and Seahawks in the weekend slate, predicted a bleak remaining season for the Chargers, and said Justin Herbert isn't going anywhere. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/1fb38c02-f63f-488f-95b9-e40daed5a32f (scored 0) ## More roster spot calls The same kind of call, about other players and teams. - Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: Kelberman expects Sean Fresch Jr. to clear waivers and return to the Broncos' practice squad, sees Riley Moss back from concussion for the Week 11 game at Las Vegas, and projects newly acquired Daiyan Henley to begin as the third inside linebacker behind Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad before likely moving into a starting role. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/978f775c-5611-4514-ad2f-b35a6eac0402 (scored 0) - Zack Kelberman on Sean Fresch Jr.: Kelberman writes that Riley Moss may sit out the preseason finale against Minnesota but should be available for the Week 1 opener at Kansas City; they also suggest undrafted corners Sean Fresch Jr. and Brent Austin are being evaluated for practice squad spots. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/3c8c47b8-6041-4282-8d21-d21741d8f11b (scored 0) - Parker Hurley on Khalid Kareem: Hurley predicts the 49ers will release Khalil Kareem when Nate Hobbs is activated and cut Brandin Cooks when C.J. West returns, while arguing Sebastian Valdez won't be the one let go and no cornerback will be cut. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/5a729417-69ee-493a-9bec-d905fd1a7082 (scored 0) - Jason Harmon on Max Brosmer: Harmon expects the Vikings' quarterback room to stay intact while Kyler Murray is hurt, and predicts Max Brosmer will be released and re-signed to the practice squad since Minnesota won't carry four QBs. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/fa393501-3f38-481e-8e75-48125587e911 (scored 0) - Chad Jensen on Jordan Turner: Jensen predicts Daiyan Henley's arrival will cut into Justin Strnad's snaps while Alex Singleton keeps playing virtually every down, and that Denver will return to a three-linebacker rotation after the Week 10 bye. They also expect one of Jordan Turner or Karene Reid — most likely Turner — to be waived to clear a roster spot. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/a84d2c6e-5554-46aa-95b1-620858d31e0f (scored 0) - Charean Williams on Odell Beckham Jr.: Williams writes that after releasing Odell Beckham Jr. to open a roster spot for Kirk Cousins, the Vikings will bring them back on the practice squad. — https://missedtakes.co/opinions/d4fd8cfb-3c75-4209-9e1a-d60e821f315b (scored 0) --- Accuracy is 0-100 against what actually happened. The naive guess is what a strategy requiring no knowledge would have scored on the same call — the difference is the skill, and it is what the MissedTakes Score averages. Full method: https://missedtakes.co/methodology We summarize what a pundit said and quote a short span for attribution; we never republish their article. If this is wrong, tell us: https://missedtakes.co/corrections?pundit=zach-roberts