2018 Carolina Panthers starters, 53-man roster, schedule prediction

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers roster heading into the 2018 season (starters in bold):

Heinicke won the backup job over Garrett Gilbert because of his mobility and his experience in Norv Turner's system while both were at Minnesota. Gilbert became expendable so the Panthers could keep six receivers and an additional offensive lineman with three on the final roster injured.

Kenjon Barner was the wild card here. He was on my original projection. That he didn't make it showed the Panthers clearly feel good about the strength of their top three plus fullback Alex Armah. Elijah Hood, a Charlotte native, suffered a knee injury in the preseason finale to end his chances of making the…