There is no more intriguing positional battle this year than the Carolina Panthers wide receivers corps. There are currently fourteen wide receivers listed on the Panthers official roster. Of those fourteen, five or possibly six will make the team. Others will be placed on the practice squad or released.

Here is how the group is shaping up individually in OTA practices…..

Carolina Panthers Receivers Breakdown

Kelvin Benjamin

Benjamin is currently working on his conditioning. A year off from football takes its toll on the level of fitness of any player. This is nothing to be concerned about yet. The good news he is catching everything thrown at him.

Devin Funchess

Look out, folks. Funchess may be the most improved player on the field this year. As a rookie he was about as green as a NFL player could be. Now, with a full season and post season under his belt, he looks like a completely different player from this time last year. It is safe to say you can be excited about this young man in 2016.

Ted Ginn

Ted Ginn is making plays in camp, and has the occasional drop. In other words, he is what he is. Ginn is still getting a good share of first string snaps and appears to have his roster spot still solidified.

Philly Brown

Brown also gets his fair share of first string snaps and is catching the ball well. Philly was arguably the best receiver on the Carolina Panthers roster in January. However, he has much competition behind him. He needs to stay on his game.

Stephen Hill

I had my doubts about Stephen Hill this season, but he is erasing those quickly. Hill has shown great improvement in catching the ball. Coupled with his speed, he could be an additional deep threat to stretch the field. How nice would it be to not see eight defenders in the box constantly?

Brenton Bersin

Much to the dismay of the many “Bersin Haters” out there, Brenton continues to be as sure handed as anyone on the field. He looks better now than he ever has. He isn’t flashy. He doesn’t have great speed. All he does is run textbook routes and catch the ball. Personally, I love it. Bersin is also getting a fair amount of first string reps.

Kevin Norwood

Norwood saw playing time last season and was quickly benched after a tipped ball that was intercepted. This year he is taking mainly second and third string snaps. Norwood is one of those guys competing for the 5th or 6th receiver spot. He has not stood out as of yet in OTAs.

Damiere Byrd

Byrd is a fan favorite that received plenty of praise after rookie camp. He has put on some muscle this year, which he will gladly tell you about. He is mainly taking second and third string snaps. It will be tough for him to move up and take reps from Ted Ginn and Philly Brown. Right now I suspect he is headed for the practice squad again this season and given a shot next season.

LaRon Byrd

Byrd was picked up by the Carolina Panthers just a few weeks ago. Since then, I believe he is really in the mix for that 5th or 6th receiver spot. He seems to have caught the attention of Cam Newton who frequently encourages him. LaRon has made some nice plays out there. Keep an eye on this.

Keyarris Garrett

Garrett is currently seeing time with the second and third strings mainly. He has yet to really stand out in practices. This is normal for an undrafted free agent, there is still plenty of time for him to catch on. As of now, I would say the practice squad is probable.

Cobi Hamilton

Hard to see where Hamilton fits in on this roster. A former sixth round draft by Cincinnati, he has bounced around the league. At 6’2 he is competing with taller receivers for the possession role. He has his work cut out for him, but anything is possible.

Miles Shuler, Tobais Palmer, Avius Capers

Three guys that are small on height but large on speed. They are pretty much interchangeable at this point. Perhaps the Carolina Panthers are looking for one to really outshine the others for the practice squad. If any can produce as a punt returner, it would increase their prospects tenfold.