CHARLOTTE — There are still four months—or three-and-some-change to be technical—until the Panthers' 2025 season kicks off. So much can change between now and then as teams go through OTAs and training camp, learn their rookie personnel, and put together an identity for this season.

That won't stop us from looking ahead, though.

Now that the draft is over and free agency has slowed down, team rosters have started to take shape. With that in mind, we dive in on one player to keep an eye on now through their matchup with the Panthers from each opponent for Weeks 1-8.

Week 1: Jacksonville Jaguars —Travis Hunter

Choosing Travis Hunter was the easiest decision for this whole list. The Heisman winner went No. 2 overall in April's draft after the Jags traded up to grab him. Hunter seems worth the capital; a two-way player who dominated at both receiver and corner, Hunter has talked this spring as if he'll play both at the next level. Those snaps could easily tilt one way or another closer to the season, but it's not out of the realm of possibility to think the Jaguars could still be deciding exactly how to play him in Week 1.

Week 2: Arizona Cardinals — James Conner

The Panthers poured resources into their run defense this offseason, following a year in which the unit set league records for historically worse. We won't know until the games are here exactly how Derrick Brown (coming back from injury), Bobby Brown III, A'Shawn Robinson, and Shy Tuttle will play together, and the second game of the season, especially on the road, may be too early to expect a lot from the defensive front. But James Conner will be a great early test. The running back finished 2024 with 236 rushes for 1,094 yards (both career highs) and eight touchdowns, in addition to 47 receptions for 414 yards and one touchdown through the air. Stymying Conner could go a long way toward setting the Panthers' unit up for the year.

Week 3: Atlanta Falcons — Michael Penix Jr.

The Falcons made a statement when Kirk Cousins was benched, and the rookie Penix was named starter for the final three games of the Falcons season in 2024. The No. 8 overall pick in last year's draft went 1-2 in his three starts. His five total game appearances accumulated 775 yards and three touchdowns to three interceptions with a 58.1 completion percentage. Was it enough to introduce Penix to the NFL, or does he still have some rookie growing to do? The Panthers do have game tape from facing Penix in Week 18 of last season, during which he went 21-38 for 312 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.

Week 4: New England Patriots — Drake Maye

The Charlotte native Drake Maye had a rookie season that experienced highs—66 completion percentage for 2,276 yards and 15 touchdowns, earning Pro Bowl honors—and lows, such as being sacked 34 times, 13th most in the league. The Patriots hired head coach Mike Vrabel this offseason, though, and he subsequently brought back Josh McDaniels as offensive coordinator. If Maye doesn't play in the preseason, the Panthers will only have three weeks of tape to asses how Maye runs this new offense.

Week 5: Miami Dolphins— Kenneth Grant

The Dolphins took Grant No. 13 overall in April, hoping the big Michigan man could fill the hole on their defensive line. While in Ann Arbor, Grant played under longtime NFL defensive coach Wink Martindale, giving him a jump as he enters the league, not that he needed much of one. Grant had 32 tackles, five passes-defended, and three sacks from the tackle position last year. According to Pro Football Focus, he also added 23 quarterback hurries and 27 total pressures. The Panthers hope to have a one-two punch in Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle. Grant's addition to the Dolphins can be a big early-season test for the duo.

Week 6: Dallas Cowboys — George Pickens

The Cowboys made a big trade this offseason, bringing over receiver George Pickens from the Steelers. The plan is to pair Pickens with CeeDee Lamb and give Dak Prescott two dynamic options in the passing game. Lamb has been in the top 10 of the league in receiving the past three seasons, but that hasn't always translated to wins. Beyond adding Pickens' 59 receptions for 900 yards and three touchdowns to the roster, the Cowboys will have to make it come to life under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, who will act as play-caller.

Week 7: New York Jets — Justin Fields

Fields set off a domino effect in the AFC when he decided to sign with the New York Jets in free agency. But in East Rutherford, the Jets only concern is whether or not Fields can be the answer at a position in which the Jets haven't had an answer in years. The former first-rounder went 4-2 as a starter with the Steelers before Pittsburgh decided to start Russel Wilson after he returned from injury. Fields threw for 1,106 yards and five touchdowns to one interception in six games with a 65.8 completion percentage. He also added 62 rushes for 289 yards and five more touchdowns on the ground. Overall, he averaged 223 all-purpose yards per game in his six starts. Fields talent and ability has never been in question. It was more so finding a system that complimented his skill and vice versa. Will that be the Jets? The Panthers will have to wait and see.

Week 8: Buffalo Bills — Josh Allen

As Jake Delhomme said in our breakdown of the 2025 schedule, the Bills aren't a good opponent from Week 1-18. And while Buffalo has talent across the board, it really all comes down to Josh Allen. The reigning MVP fuels the Bills engine, and if he is playing at half his ability, he's a difficult task.