The Carolina Panthers, on their journey down to their first 53-man roster, had to make some tough decisions Tuesday. 

Part of those decisions included cutting five players who seemingly had it coming for a few seasons. 

Those players include Shi Smith, Keith Taylor, Brandon Smith, Stantley Thomas-Oliver, and Deonte Brown. and what those five players all have in common is that they were draft picks by the team during the Matt Rhule era. 

The Panthers are in a year of transition. And part of the transition is throwing out the old and bringing in the new. It is clear that Frank Reich wants to put his mark on the roster. But also clear is that former Panthers head coach Rhule made a litany of mistakes during the draft process. 

In a way, cutting five Rhule draft picks is like purging for a franchise deadset on being a better football club in its first season without the former star college football. 

It also makes Reich's iteration of the roster a little more intriguing. 

Reich will carry at least four tight ends. Much of his offensive scheme revolves around utilizing the versatility of that position. He will also keep a heavy amount of defensive linemen who eat up space up front. 

More than anything else, however, he will make sure to rid the Panthers of the last vestiges of Rhule's disappointing roster decisions. 

Panthers roster cuts tracker: Keeping tabs on all the 2023 decisions

Looking at who is in and who is out on the Carolina Panthers’ 53-man roster.

Feature image via Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports.