Carolina Panthers NFC South

Haarberg spent three years at Nebraska before going undrafted this past April. Ahead of the 2025 season, he transitioned from quarterback to tight end. During that season, the 23-year-old appeared in nine games and tallied eight receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown. Now in Carolina, he'll compete for a spot on the active roster as the offseason progresses.

Davis ended his collegiate career with Utah State in 2025, where he ran the ball 131 times for 731 yards and eight touchdowns while catching 28 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns. The undrafted rookie will look to earn a spot on the active roster as he competes in the Panthers' offseason program.

Prentice had a decent freshman season at Alabama with a 31-337-2 line over 13 games, but he never really progressed from there, topping out at 380 yards and six touchdowns as a senior at Baylor. He's undersized (5-foot-10, 184 pounds) but showcased 4.37 40-yard dash at his pro day, and he'll need to make an impact on special teams to have a chance at the 53-man roster.

The anticipated move will keep the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft under contract with Carolina through the 2027 season. The 24-year-old is coming off a career year in 2025, during which he set new highs in passing yards (3,011), TDs (23), completion percentage (63.6) and passer rating (87.8), among other other categories, over the course of 16 regular-season contests. Since then, the Panthers signed Kenny Pickett to back up Young and added deep threat Chris Brazzell in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft, providing Young a player with upside to fortify a WR corps that returns Tetairoa McMillan, Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette.

Kuwatch transferred from Ohio State to Miami (Ohio) in 2023, but he didn't become a full-time starter on defense until his senior year in 2025, when he was named to the All-MAC Third-Team after logging 109 total tackles, including 5.0 sacks, and one pass defense across 14 games. Kuwatch served as the RedHawks' middle linebacker, and his experience on special teams during his five-year college career could help him earn a spot on the Panthers' 53-man roster for the 2026 season. He'll enter the offseason program and training camp competing for a depth spot at inside linebacker against the likes of Claudin Cherelus, Bam Martin-Scott and Isaiah Simmons.

Grier will sign on as the Panthers' third-string QB, behind Bryce Young and Kenny Pickett, providing the team with positional depth in advance of the 2026 NFL Draft. A 2019 third-round pick, Grier hasn't logged any regular-season action since he made two appearances as a rookie with Carolina.

Tremayne will officially return to Carolina for at least another season after being tendered by the club in early March. The 26-year-old was a regular part of the offense for the first time as a pro last year, tallying 14 catches for 160 yards over 262 offensive snaps spanning 16 regular-season games. He also played regularly on special teams and likely will retain the same role as a depth wideout and special-teamer during the upcoming season.

It's a homecoming for Franks after he spent the 2024 season with Carolina before spending the 2025 campaign with the Falcons. A special-teams stalwart, Franks appeared in all 17 regular-season contests last season, recording 11 tackles (eight solo) on 299 snaps in kick coverage.

Martin appeared in all 17 regular-season games for the Panthers in 2025 and averaged 47.2 yards per punt. He landed 27 of his 56 punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line, which was ninth best in the NFL.

Walker has started 48 games across the last three regular seasons and operated as the Packers' left tackle during the 2025 campaign, playing all 1,057 of his offensive snaps at the position. He gives the Panthers a capable option should Ikem Ekwonu (knee) not be recovered from a torn patellar tendon that he suffered in Carolina's wild-card loss to the Rams in January.

A 2022 second-round pick, Metchie spent time with three different teams during the length of his rookie contract after missing the 2022 season to recover from cancer. He'll now reunite with college teammate Bryce Young, likely competing for a depth role at wide receiver behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker.

Mitchell will continue to provide depth in a tight end room that also houses Ja'Tavion Sanders (lower leg), Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans. Across five regular-season games in 2025, Mitchell secured all three of his targets for 28 yards.