The Carolina Panthers are shifting their focus to April’s NFL Draft, and The Observer is turning its attention to the squad’s special teams unit to complete our three-part look at the depth chart.
With analysis breakdowns of the offensive and defensive depth charts in the can, The Observer can now take a look at some notable holes in the special teams unit, including an open-ended slot at kicker.
Here’s a look at the special teams unit:
Kicker
Matthew Wright
Analysis: Wright has essentially been a fill-in journeyman kicker for his entire career. He’s never been “the guy” at the position heading into an offseason. And, frankly, he probably won’t have that title entering training camp this year, either.
Still, the 28-year-old kicker has a 87.3% career field-goal percentage. He can’t be ruled out in a training camp competition.
What it means for the rest of the offseason: With Eddy Piñeiro probably heading elsewhere, there’s a big hole in the specialist unit. Wright has been on the Panthers’ roster three different times since 2023, and while he has some experience, he doesn’t feel like a surefire option at the position. There will almost assuredly be a battle this summer between Wright and someone else for the job.
The draft has quite a few options to replace Piñeiro. Assistant special teams coach Daren Bates worked directly with University of Miami kicker Andres Borregales at the Shrine Bowl in January, while Pitt’s Ben Sauls worked on the opposing team. Bates got time with both specialists during the all-star weekend.
Along with Borregales and Sauls, South Cal’s Eddie Czaplicki (a Charlotte native), Arizona’s Tyler Loop and Florida State’s Ryan Fitzgerald could be options on Day 3 or in undrafted free agency.
Punter
Sam Martin
Analysis: The Panthers swapped out 35-year-old punters during the first wave of free agency. Carolina signed Martin, an App State grad, to a one-year deal, while Johnny Hekker — the Panthers’ punter for the past three years — headed to Tennessee on a one-year pact with the Titans.
While the Buffalo Bills cut Martin earlier this year, his numbers were better than Hekker’s stats last season. The Panthers passed on adding a cheap rookie punter in favor linking a rookie kicker (or Wright) with an experienced holder.
What it means for the rest of the offseason:Martin is the punter. He signed a guaranteed $1.6 million deal with the Panthers earlier this month. Barring injury, Martin will be the guy throughout all of 2025.
Long snapper
JJ Jansen
Analysis: The Panthers re-signed the longest-tenured player in team history to a one-year deal back in February. Jansen has played in 260 consecutive games. Barring injury, he will add 17 games to that streak in 2025.
What it means for the rest of the offseason: Jansen is locked in at long snapper. He will do the one-year deal dance annually until he ultimately retires to go into the media business or further grow his minor-league sports team portfolio.
Punt returner
David Moore
Analysis: Like kicker, this spot feels incomplete. Moore served as the “safe” returner last season, as he was mostly used to field the ball deep in Panthers territory to avoid any hiccups (or potential turnovers). He’s not the most dynamic option, but there aren’t any other ones around at the moment.
What it means for the rest of the offseason: Look for the Panthers to add offensive skill players with special teams upside in April. A speedy wide receiver or a shifty running back could suffice at punt returner. Either way, this will be another competition on special teams to monitor this summer.
Kick returner
Xavier Legette
Analysis: Legette returned four kickoffs as a rookie. He did a solid enough job (25.5 yards per return), but the Panthers would probably prefer to not overload him with work after his up-and-down first season. The offense has to take priority for Legette, so the Panthers will probably look to add a couple of guys in the draft with kick return potential.
What it means for the rest of the offseason: As with punt returner, kick returner needs an influx of competition. Legette is fine in a pinch, but the Panthers should want a guy to come in and own this job for the foreseeable future. Raheem Blackshear is still waiting for a deal in free agency, so it’s possible he returns in the coming weeks. Still, competition is warranted whether Blackshear is back or not.