Whittaker scored one of Carolina's most important touchdowns last season, turning a screen pass into a 39-yard touchdown that gave the Panthers a second-half lead they never relinquished in their NFC Wild Card victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Signed as a free agent on the first weekend of training camp, Whittaker earned a role as a change-of-pace back and finished the regular season with 145 rushing yards and 60 receiving yards while scoring a rushing touchdown and a receiving touchdown. He also served as the team's primary kick returner, averaging 23.8 yards on 11 returns.

Bersin, who made the Panthers' 53-man roster in 2014 after coming up short the previous two seasons, caught 13 passes for 151 yards and one touchdown in 2014 and averaged 6.1 yards on 14 punt returns. After attending training camp with the Panthers at his alma mater, Wofford, in 2012 before being cut, he got a second chance with a tryout in 2013 and earned a spot on the practice squad that season.