Carolina

Panthers

Granger will revert to the Panthers’ injured reserve list if he goes unclaimed on waivers, as will fellow UDFA Popo Aumavae. The Panthers also waived WR T.J. Luther, OL Andrew Raym and DT Jerrod Clark. They released WR Dax Milne.

What a brutal break for a once-promising player. Brooks, now just 21 years old, slipped to the 2024 NFL Draft’s second round due to his 2023 ACL tear. He then made his rookie season debut in Week 10, only to re-tear the ligament in Week 14. He will miss the entire 2025 season. The front office signed Chuba Hubbard to a four-year contract extension back in November, signed Rico Dowdle to a one-year deal in March and spent a fourth-round pick on former Georgia RB Trevor Etienne just two weeks ago. The Panthers sure don’t seem to be waiting on Brooks to return healthy in 2026, and neither should dynasty leaguers.

Clowney was a cut candidate heading into the draft, and then the Panthers spent both of their Day Two picks on pass rushers, sealing Clowney’s fate. The veteran EDGE is no stranger to free agency, having changed teams in all but one of the past six seasons. He totaled 5.5 sacks and broke up four passes with the Panthers in 2024. Though Clowney never lived up to his No. 1 overall pick hype, he is a high-floor outside linebacker who shouldn’t have any issues finding working somewhere around the league in 2025.

Matthews converted to tight end a few years ago and hasn’t made much noise at the position. The change has, however, likely kept him in the league for a few more seasons. He appeared in four games with the Panthers last year but didn’t record any stats on offense. The Panthers also released or waived WR Dax Milne, C Andrew Raym and TE Colin Granger.

When asked if 2025 could be his final season, Thielen responded, “It could be, yeah.” This is to be expected at this point in Thielen’s career. The veteran receiver will be 35 at the start of this season, and he revised his contract this offseason for what is effectively a one-year, $8.5 million contract. Thielen returned this season after discussing the decision with his family and said that he and his family will again discuss his NFL future after the upcoming season has concluded. Still a productive receiver, Thielen caught 48 passes for 615 yards and five touchdowns in just 10 games for the Panthers last season. He’ll face additional competition for targets this season with first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan now in the mix, but Thielen should still see plenty of work in what could be his final season.

Peevy played zero defensive snaps for the Texans but previously suited up for the Titans during the 2022-2023 season and the Panthers in 2024. He flashed minor skills as a pass rusher last season, producing a 10.4 percent pass-rush win rate en route to five quarterback pressures and 1.5 sacks. Another team will likely give him a chance to make the active roster this summer.

Kaye said he expects McMillan, taken with the eighth overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, to primarily occupy the outside X spot and be an “immediate fixture” in Dave Canales’ offense. Xavier Legette, according to Kaye, will play the Z position while Adam Thielan occupies the slot. “Despite those immediate roles, the three players will likely get the chance to move around the formation,” Kaye added. That’s likely a positive for McMillan’s 2025 fantasy outlook after he proved one of the nation’s most efficient receivers on slot routes at Arizona in 2024. McMillan was the first wideout selected in the draft after racking up 213 receptions for 3,423 yards and 26 touchdowns in 37 games at Arizona. Bryce Young reportedly vouched for McMillan before the Panthers used their first rounder on him.

Carolina drafted two defensive ends on Day 2 of the draft — Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen — and signed Patrick Jones II in free agency earlier this offseason. It’s possible that they move on from Clowney to save some of the $13.775 million he’s set to count against the cap in 2025. A trade would save them $9.775 million, while a release would save $7.775 million. Clowney’s entering his age-32 season after starting 14 games for the Panthers last year and notching 5.5 sacks.

A late bloomer who flipped the switch at SMU after a rotational stint at Miami, Harrison-Hunte (6’3/280) exploded onto the scene in 2024. He earned First-Team All-AAC honors with 42 tackles and 6.5 sacks. He saved his best for last, posting six sacks in the final four games, powering SMU’s playoff run. His 9.20 RAS backs up the tape: 4.86 s 40-yard dash with elite 10- and 20-yard splits make him a quick-twitch penetrator with one-gapping explosiveness. His pass-rush arsenal includes a nasty arm-over and solid bend when playing low. While his pad level and run anticipation can waver, he brings heat when turned loose. PFF credited him with 30 pressures, 21 stops, and a strong 82.2 defensive grade in 2024. Scheme-specific? Maybe. But in an attacking front, Harrison-Hunte can thrive as a rotational three tech with developmental upside as a penetrating on passing downs.