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4 offensive players to watch in Panthers' preseason opener vs. Cardinals
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- 4 offensive players to watch in Panthers' preseason opener vs. Cardinals
The Carolina Panthers will kick off their preseason schedule on Thursday night—when they visit Canton, Ohio to play in the annual Hall of Fame Game against the Arizona Cardinals .
If you're expecting a rehash of the fun-filled 2015 NFC Championship game, you're going to be disappointed. The Panthers have already announced that none of their starters will be playing, while the Cardinals will have rookie Carson Beck starting at quarterback .
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This game is all about opportunities for rookies and unproven veterans on the roster bubble looking to make a name for themselves. So, here are four players to keep an eye on when the Panthers are on offense . . .
QB Haynes King
While second-string quarterback Kenny Pickett is in line for the start, the headliner under center for Carolina is likely to be King. King, the 2025 ACC Offensive Player of the Year out of Georgia Tech, is already a qualified rushing threat—having totaled over 2,400 yards and 37 touchdowns on the ground during his college career.
The question with the 25-year-old is his passing skills—specifically how he gets through his reads and how accurate he can be with the ball. He threw for 65 touchdowns, but also had 34 interceptions.
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RB Miles Davis
Another undrafted rookie to watch is Davis, who comes to Carolina by way of Utah State. His transfer from Brigham Young was a good decision, as he enjoyed a breakout 2025 campaign with 731 rushing yards and eight touchdowns while averaging 5.6 yards per carry. He added another 28 catches, 201 yards and three scores as a receiver.
With a crowded picture at running back, Davis may have to separate himself as a kickoff returner, where he got some experience last season.
WR Ja'Seem Reed
With injuries stacking up at wide receiver, there could be a chance for an unproven pass catcher to break into the room. Reed didn't see the field with the Panthers in 2025 as an undrafted rookie, but he was productive in his last season at the University of San Diego—totaling over 1,000 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns.
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Reed's eye-opening summer could continue on Thursday night.
TE Chamon Metayer
The biggest opportunity this month will be at tight end, where the Panthers are weaker than any other team in the NFL.
Metayer, another undrafted rookie, put in two years at Cincinnati followed by two at Arizona State—where he racked up 681 yards and nine touchdowns in 26 games. Carolina has a couple of good blockers at this position—but if Metayer can separate himself as a receiving threat, it will give him a great chance to stay in the locker room into the beginning of the regular season.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 4 offensive players to watch in Panthers' preseason opener vs. Cardinals
