Is it too early to put up roster predictions? Before I go too far lets get our arms around the players we know will make the roster and see what’s left. We can then guess who might make the cut and who will get a call from the dreaded Turk.

Guaranteed Roster Spots – Offense (22):

QB: Delhomme, Moore, Basanez

RB: Williams, Stewart, Toefield, Goings, Hoover

WR: Smith, Muhammad, Hackett, Jarrett

TE: King, Rosario, Barnidge

OL: Gross, Otah, Wharton, Kalil, Vincent, Fonoti, Hangartner, Bridges

Guaranteed Roster Spots – Defense (20)

DE – Peppers, Brayton, Johnson, McClover

DL – Kemo, Lewis, Walker, Scott, Hayden

LB – Beason, Johnson, Davis, Diggs, Conner, Seward

DB – Gamble, Lucas, Marshall, Harris, Godfrey

Special Teams (5)

K – Kasay, Lloyd, Baker

KR – Robinson, Colclough

That’s 47 slots taken leaving 6 spots to fill. I think it’s safe to say the Panthers will carry 5 WR’s (not counting Robinson) and at least 6 DB’s. From there I’m also guessing at one more OL, a pass rushing specialist and the rest special team role players.

So my final six at this point in no particular order:

DB – Dante Wesley, Nate Salley – Both will need to perform on special teams

OL – Geoff Schwartz – Panthers thin at tackle behind starters

DL – Hilee Taylor – Will get a chance to show his speed rush

WR – Jason Carter – Training camp star

Of course injuries could wreck this prediction pretty easy. If Robinson is not recovered in time than Jason Carter’s chances go way up.

Notable Absences:

LB Tim Shaw – Replaced by former PSU teammate Conner

OL Evan Mathis – Lost the Panthers confidence after 2006 season

S Terrence Holt – Salley beats out the vet Holt. Looks like brother Torry won't be coming to Carolina after all

LB – James Anderson – Panthers too deep at LB for Anderson to hang on

OL Milford Brown – Does not provide flexibility of playing guard & tackle like Jeremy Bridges

So what does everybody think? Where am I missing the mark?