CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera must feel good about his roster when the biggest question heading into the opener is which of his two kickers will play.

For the record, Rivera and general manager Marty Hurney said veteran Graham Gano would handle the job if Gano and rookie Harrison Butker remain on the roster for this Sunday’s game at San Francisco.

That situation took precedence on Sunday over where quarterback Cam Newton stood with his surgically-repaired shoulder.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera, who is carrying two kickers on his roster, said he's leaning toward using Graham Gano this Sunday. "His kickoffs are very consistent right now and he's a guy that's done some good things for us," Rivera said. Stephen Furst/Icon Sportswire

Apparently, that’s fine.

"I think he’s ready," Rivera said of the 2015 NFL MVP.

So, back to the kickers, who have dominated Carolina headlines the past couple of days. That Gano and Butker were kept on the 53-man roster was a bit of a surprise, although it makes sense with Hurney getting trade interest for both.

No need to dump a player when you can get value in exchange, particularly since the Panthers used a seventh-round pick on Butker.

As far as Gano, 30, is concerned, he’s the kicker.

"I’m going to be here this week," he said. "That’s how I’m preparing for the job. I feel like I’m hitting the ball great and just excited to be here."

Gano wouldn’t even admit this was a weird situation even though he’s never been on a team with two kickers before.

"That’s the NFL," he said. “Yeah, not weird."

But when you remember what happened in last year’s opener, the kicking job is important. Gano missed a 50-yarder in the final seconds of a Super Bowl 50 rematch against Denver and the 21-20 loss started Carolina into a spiral toward a 6-10 season.

The good news is the Panthers appear to have two good kickers. At least that was Hurney’s defense for keeping them. He also admitted it’s a "fluid process."

In other words, if the Panthers don’t get a good offer for Butker, they ultimately will either stash him on the practice squad -- they kept a spot open -- or release him. Regardless, it doesn’t sound like he will kick against the 49ers.

"I'm leaning toward the experienced guy," Rivera said. “Graham really had a pretty good camp. ... He's kicked the ball very well. His kickoffs are very consistent right now and he's a guy that's done some good things for us.

"We're looking for some really good stuff."

Rivera and Hurney really like the rest of the roster. They like the way the offense has meshed, with first-round pick Christian McCaffrey becoming a big part of a more versatile attack.

They like the way the defense has come together with key additions such as safety Michael Adams and defensive end Julius Peppers. They like that they were able to claim Demetrious Cox off waivers to add much-needed depth at safety

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They like the way they were able to claim former University of Miami star Brad Kaaya to begin developing a young quarterback.

"You’re always trying to keep one or two quarterbacks in the pipeline," Hurney said. “Ron Wolf, one of the best general managers and evaluators I’ve seen in a long time, his approach was in the draft, you always try to pick one because of the value at that position.

"It does take time at that position. To have two young guys that you feel you can work on and develop, I feel, is important."

Rivera and Hurney like the depth of the offensive line that was decimated by injuries a year ago. They like the depth across the board.

"What jumps out about this roster is there is depth pretty much everywhere," Hurney said.

The roster certainly is better than it was this time a year ago when the Panthers went into their Super Bowl rematch with rookie cornerbacks after moving on from Pro Bowler Josh Norman.

It didn’t cost them in the opener, but it was costly during a 1-5 start.

That’s not a concern now with James Bradberry and Daryl Worley looking solid and confident heading into their second season.

There really wasn’t a starting position up for grabs heading to training camp outside of fullback, and rookie Alex Armah won that over veteran Darrel Young.

The only big question has been Newton’s shoulder, and with that no longer a concern, the kickers are getting all the attention.

"Coach Rivera always says be where your feet are and that’s what I’m going to do," Gano said. "I’m going to keep preparing like I’m playing this week. And as far as I know, I am."