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Predicting Carolina Panthers’ 2015 Starters Before Training Camp

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Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Predicting Carolina Panthers' 2015 Starters Before Training Camp

Ron Rivera Panthers — The Carolina Panthers finished 2014 with a 7-8-1 record, but won the NFC South, which was a historically bad division. The division title was the second straight for the Panthers, becoming the first NFC South team to win consecutive division titles. In the offseason, the Panthers were mostly quiet, with the signing of Charles Tillman being the biggest move that they made. With a month to go before training camp, here are the predicted starters.

The Carolina Panthers finished 2014 with a 7-8-1 record, but won the NFC South, which was a historically bad division. The division title was the second straight for the Panthers, becoming the first NFC South team to win consecutive division titles. In the offseason, the Panthers were mostly quiet, with the signing of Charles Tillman being the biggest move that they made. With a month to go before training camp, here are the predicted starters.

Quarterback-Cam Newton

Quarterback-Cam Newton

Carolina Panthers general manager, Dave Gettleman, decided to make a huge investment in Cam Newton as the team's franchise quarterback. As talented as Newton is, he hasn't earned that contract, and 2015 is the time to prove that he was worth the five-year, $103 million contract that he received this offseason. If Newton can become more consistent, the Panthers could be real threats in the NFC.

Running Back-Jonathan Stewart

Running Back-Jonathan Stewart

Jonathan Stewart finally got a chance to be the Panthers' feature back down the stretch in 2014, and he showed that he could certainly handle the load. So much so, that the Panthers released the franchise's all-time leading rusher, DeAngelo Williams, this offseason. The Panthers did draft a running back in the draft, Cameron Artis-Payne, who could push Stewart, but Stewart will be the starter Week 1.

Fullback-Mike Tolbert

Fullback-Mike Tolbert

Mike Tolbert has been much more than a fullback for the Panthers the last two seasons. He has been solid on special teams, a great goal-line back, and a solid receiver out of the backfield. Tolbert is also one of the biggest emotional leaders on the Panthers' offense, and his importance to the team can't be understated.

Right Wide Receiver-Kelvin Benjamin

Right Wide Receiver-Kelvin Benjamin

Kelvin Benjamin had a breakout rookie season in 2014, and he could have an even bigger season in 2015. Although he struggled with some drops, Benjamin finished 2014 with 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns. He was targeted a team-high 146 times by Newton, and if he can come down with another 20-25 receptions, he could be an all-pro in 2015.

Left Wide Receiver-Devin Funchess

Left Wide Receiver-Devin Funchess

The Carolina Panthers traded their second, third, and sixth round picks in order to move up in the second round to select wide receiver Devin Funchess out of Michigan. Funchess stands 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds; with him and Benjamin, Newton is going to have some massive targets to throw to in the red-zone. There have already been rave reviews from receivers coach, Ricky Proehl, about how well Funchess has performed in OTAs.

Tight End-Greg Olsen

Tight End-Greg Olsen

Left Tackle-Michael Oher

Left Tackle-Michael Oher

The Panthers played 2014 with the worst left tackle in football, Byron Bell. Gettleman didn't have the salary cap to work with in the 2014 offseason, so he decided to flip Bell from right tackle to left tackle, which was disastrous, especially for Newton. This offseason, Gettleman went and signed Michael Oher after the Tennessee Titans released him. If Oher can resurrect his career, the Panthers could be much improved.

Left Guard-Andrew Norwell

Left Guard-Andrew Norwell

The Panthers signed Andrew Norwell as an undrafted free agent after the 2014 NFL Draft. He began the 2014 season on the practice squad, but after some injuries, Norwell got his opportunity and he took advantage. Norwell is an absolute mauler in the run game, which is perfect for the run-heavy Panthers offense. He could use some work on his pass protection, but that will come in time. Norwell was an absolute steal.

Center-Ryan Kalil

Center-Ryan Kalil

Right Guard-Trai Turner

Right Guard-Trai Turner

The Panthers got a huge steal in the third-round of the 2014 NFL Draft, selecting guard Trai Turner with the 92nd pick out of LSU. Turner didn't start his first game until Week 5, but once he got the opportunity, he never let go. Inserting Turner into the starting lineup was a big reason why the Panthers had the highest rushing total over the last five weeks of the season, picking up 975 rushing yards.

Right Tackle-Mike Remmers

Right Tackle-Mike Remmers

Since being signed as an undrafted free agent by the Denver Broncos after the 2012 NFL Draft, Remmers has spent time with six different NFL teams. It seems he may have finally found a home. Prior to starting at right tackle in Week 15 of 2014, Remmers had only started one previous game in his career. While he may get some competition from rookie Daryl Williams, expect Remmers to be the Week 1 starter at right tackle for the Panthers.

Left Defensive End-Charles Johnson

Left Defensive End-Charles Johnson

Charles Johnson has former Panthers general manager, Marty Hurney, to thank for a massive contract that has never been fulfilled. Hurney gave Johnson a six-year, $76 million extension in 2011, with $32 million guaranteed, despite Johnson having a career-high of 11.5 sacks to that point. Now four years into that contract, Johnson's career-high is now 12.5 sacks -- it's time for him to perform up to his potential.

Left Defensive Tackle-Kawann Short

Left Defensive Tackle-Kawann Short

The Panthers had already drafted defensive tackle Star Lotulelei in the first-round of the 2013 NFL Draft, when Dave Gettleman decided to double up on interior defensive linemen, and selected Kawann Short with the Panthers' second-round pick. Although Short hasn't quite been consistent, he has shown flashes of his potential, and 2015 could be the year he breaks out in a big way.

Right Defensive Tackle-Star Lotulelei

Right Defensive Tackle-Star Lotulelei

Outside of Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis, Star Lotulelei is the most important piece of the entire Panthers' defense. He is tasked with keeping the interior offensive linemen off of the linebackers so that they can come in and make the tackle. Lotulelei is also a good pass-rusher for a defensive tackle and does a great job clogging up holes in the running game. The Panthers need a healthy Lotulelei in 2015.

Right Defensive End-Kony Ealy

Right Defensive End-Kony Ealy

If the Panthers' defense is going to progress to a top-five NFL unit, then the team will need Kony Ealy to step up in 2015. Ealy was selected in the second-round of the 2014 NFL Draft, and he was considered a project. After spending the majority of his rookie season watching from the bench, Ealy got his opportunity down the stretch and posted a sack in each of the Panthers' last three regular season games.

Strong-Side Outside Linebacker-Thomas Davis

Strong-Side Outside Linebacker-Thomas Davis

Thomas Davis is the poster boy for perseverance. Davis has undergone three ACL surgeries in his career and has bounced back from all of them successfully. In 2014, his play was a big reason why the Panthers were able to win the NFC South, as he and Luke Kuechly took charge of the defense down the stretch. Davis and the Panthers are trying to get an extension done before the season. Let's hope that happens.

Middle Linebacker-Luke Kuechly

Middle Linebacker-Luke Kuechly

Luke Kuechly is the heart and soul of the entire Panthers team, and Gettleman should give him whatever he asks for when it comes to an extension. Before Kuechly arrived, the Panthers were a 6-10 team without much direction, but he quickly helped turn the defense into one of the best in the league, and the Panthers have made the playoffs in two of his three years. The mayor of Charlotte should give Kuechly a key to the city.

Weak-Side Linebacker-Shaq Thompson

Weak-Side Linebacker-Shaq Thompson

With Kuechly and Davis already in tow, it surprised a lot of people when the Panthers used their first-round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft on another linebacker, Shaq Thompson. It proves that with Gettleman in charge, the Panthers draft strategy will always be to take the best player available. Thompson is a Thomas Davis clone, and he gives the Panthers the most dynamic linebacker core in the NFL.

Left Corner Back-Charles Tillman

Left Corner Back-Charles Tillman

The Panthers were tied for 10th in takeaways in 2014 with 26; expect that number to rise with Peanut Tillman on the roster. If the Panthers can get a full and healthy season out of Tillman, the team could very easily lead the NFL in takeaways in 2015. He has mastered the art of punching the ball out of ball-carriers' hands, and is a big addition to the team. Tillman also gives the Panthers another strong, veteran leader in the locker room.

Free Safety-Tre Boston

Free Safety-Tre Boston

Although he only played in 11 games in 2014, Tre Boston was one of the key members of the Panthers' success during the team's playoff run. Boston provided much needed speed in the Panthers' secondary that allowed him to cover more ground than previous starter, Thomas DeCoud. His best moment came in the Panthers' season-ending, division-clinching win over the Atlanta Falcons, when he returned an interception for a touchdown.

Strong Safety-Roman Harper

Strong Safety-Roman Harper

I'm not sure if Roman Harper will end up starting in 2015 or not, as he's going to get a lot of competition from Robert Lester and Kurt Coleman. Harper was never considered fast to begin with, but he has lost more than a step in recent year and it cost the Panthers' pass defense in 2015. He is still one heck of a run-stopper, but that may make him a situational player in 2015, and not a starter.

Right Corner Back-Josh Norman

Right Corner Back-Josh Norman

Josh Norman has always tantalized the Panthers with his talent, but then let the team down with his attitude. Hopefully, 2014 was the beginning of a better trend. Down the stretch, the Panthers had Norman matched up one-on-one with the opponents' number one receiver, and he performed admirably. If he can become a true shutdown corner, the Panthers' defense could be scary good.

Kicker-Graham Gano

Kicker-Graham Gano

Graham Gano had an unreal year in 2013 for the Panthers, as he made 24 of his 27 field goal attempts. He parlayed that performance into a four-year, $12.4 million contract in the 2014 offseason. Last season, he made 29 of his 35 attempts, but also missed another in the Panthers' Wild Card Round win over the Arizona Cardinals. Gano has also been the reason the Panthers have led the NFL in kickoff touch-back percentage the last two seasons.

Punter-Brad Nortman

Punter-Brad Nortman

Brad Nortman had kind of a down year in 2014, after having a tremendous season in 2013. Nortman averaged 47.9 yards per punt in 2013, with a 41.6 NET, but those numbers fell to 44.9 per punt, with a 36.5 NET, in 2014. The Panthers need Nortman to get back to his 2013 form this season, so that the team can win the battle of field position more often.

Long Snapper-J.J. Jansen

Long Snapper-J.J. Jansen

The long snappers don't get a lot of recognition in the NFL, but J.J. Jansen is one of the best in the league. In fact, Jansen was finally recognized for his performance in 2014, as he made his first career Pro Bowl. It's great to see him get the attention he deserves, as you usually only hear long snappers' names when they have a bad snap, which rarely happens with Jansen.

Kick Returner-Fozzy Whittaker, Ted Ginn Jr.

Kick Returner-Fozzy Whittaker, Ted Ginn Jr.

Fozzy Whittaker was picked up on waivers in 2014 by the Panthers, but he performed so well that he has earned another season with the team. He's most remembered for his touchdown in the playoff game against the Cardinals, but he also did a tremendous job returning kicks. With Whittaker and Ted Ginn Jr. returning kickoffs in 2015, expect a couple to be brought back for touchdowns.

Punt Returner-Ted Ginn Jr.

Punt Returner-Ted Ginn Jr.

Although he has never quite found the consistency as a receiver, Ted Ginn Jr. is one of the most dangerous returners in the NFL. When the Miami Dolphins selected Ginn Jr. with the ninth overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, the team was hoping he could use his explosiveness to become a dominant receiver, but he has battled drops throughout his career. He had his best year in 2013 with Panthers, so let's hope being back in Charlotte reignites him.

Jason Fletcher is a MLB Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google+.

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