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Expected to be at minicamp
Wed, May 11, 2022, 1:05 PM
Burns has not been at OTAs, but he's expected to be at minicamp, Joe Person of The Athletic repots.
Analysis: The Panthers recently exercised the fifth-year option on Burns' rookie contract and are expected to negotiate a possible extension with the pass rusher during the season. The 2019 No. 16 overall pick has 25.5 sacks and six forced fumbles through his first three seasons in the NFL. |
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Terrace Marshall Terrace Marshall In mix for No. 3 WR slot
Fri, May 6, 2022, 12:50 PM
Marshall and Rashard Higgins are both in the mix to claim the Panthers' No. 3 wide receiver job, Joseph Person of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Meanwhile, DJ Moore and Robbie Anderson continue to top the team's wideout depth chart. Marshall -- a 2021 second-rounder -- is coming off a rookie season in which he caught 17 passes (on 30 targets) for 138 yards in 13 games. Presumably past a foot issue that landed him on IR late last season -- he'll have to compete for slotting with Higgins (24/275/1 in 15 games with the Browns) , but if either Moore or Anderson miss time at any point this season, whoever slots in as the team's WR3 could yield a degree of fantasy utility, regardless of who the team's starting QB is at that time. |
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Lirim Hajrullahu Lirim Hajrullahu Gets cut Wednesday
Wed, May 4, 2022, 3:42 PM
Hajrullahu was waived by the Panthers on Wednesday, Aaron Wilson of ProFootballNetwork.com reports.
Analysis: Hajrullahu spent time with the Cowboys and Panthers last year, appearing in a total of four contests. He closed the season as Carolina's kicker, appearing in its final three games after Zane Gonzalez suffered a quadriceps injury. Hajrullahu connected on four of five field-goal attempts and made all eight of his extra-point tries for the Panthers. |
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Andre Roberts Andre Roberts Signs one-year deal with Carolina
Tue, May 3, 2022, 12:02 PM
The Panthers signed Roberts to a one-year deal Monday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Analysis: Roberts has caught just 19 passes over the last five seasons, but he's a proven return man, which was a glaring need for Carolina this offseason. The veteran has six career return touchdowns, including a 101-yard kickoff return against the Broncos last season. |
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Sam Darnold Sam Darnold Has competition from Corral
Sun, May 1, 2022, 6:00 PM
Darnold remains the Panthers' starting quarterback for now, but rookie third-rounder Matt Corral could get an opportunity to play early in his career if Darnold struggles this season, ESPN's David Newton reports.
Analysis: Darnold has not performed up to expectations since entering the league as the second pick four years ago. Even with his change of scenery joining the Panthers last season, Darnold completed under 60 percent of his passes for just nine touchdowns versus 13 interceptions in 12 games. He also lost a pair of fumbles. Although Carolina opting not to trade for Baker Mayfield signals some patience with their quarterback situation, Darnold now has Corral to watch in his rear-view mirror as he approaches the upcoming campaign. |
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Lands in Carolina
Sat, Apr 30, 2022, 5:16 PM
The Panthers selected Barnes in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 242nd overall.
Analysis: Barnes ran the fastest 40 at the combine this year with a 4.23, which puts him near the top in terms of speed in the history of the event. His production at Baylor didn't quite match the elite athleticism he displayed, so there's still some development needed for him to be an impact player in the NFL. Still, an athlete like Barnes is a worthwhile longshot bet in the seventh round. |
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Selected by Carolina
Sat, Apr 30, 2022, 3:33 PM
The Panthers selected Mays in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 199th overall.
Analysis: Mays (6-foot-5, 311 pounds) played guard and tackle at Tennessee, and he has a shot to play either position at the NFL too. His frame and reach are just enough to project as average build for a tackle, and his athletic testing (5.24-second 40, 7.57-second three-cone drill) is above average by tackle standards. If he can't stick there then Mays should make for a fine guard prospect. |
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Gets chance in Carolina
Sat, Apr 30, 2022, 3:12 PM
The Panthers selected Barno in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 189th overall.
Analysis: Barno spent two seasons at community college and barely played in his first season at Virginia Tech, but he lived in opponents' backfields over his final two college campaigns. The 6-foot-5, 246-pound edge rusher recorded 78 tackles, 21.5 tackles for loss and 10 sacks over 23 games (18 starts) in that stretch. He's an agile player that may have relied too much on his athleticism in college, but Barno has the ingredients to make the NFL leap. |
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Goes to Carolina after trade
Sat, Apr 30, 2022, 11:56 AM
The Panthers selected Smith in the fourth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 120th overall.
Analysis: The Panthers traded ahead of the Patriots to acquire the super athletic Smith. The Penn State product can be a versatile defensive weapon thanks to his long frame and straight-end speed (4.52 40-yard dash), but he's an inconsistent tackler and struggled to process plays even at the collegiate level. Likely a special teams ace to start, Smith could develop into a quality rotational linebacker in due time. |
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Pegged by QB-needy Carolina
Fri, Apr 29, 2022, 10:07 PM
The Panthers selected Corral in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft, 94th overall.
Analysis: Corral (6-foot-2, 212 pounds) was a highly successful starter at Mississippi in college, posting some of the best dual-threat production nationwide while leading one of the country's highest-scoring offenses. Corral is a bit small to be doing much running in the NFL, though, and his abilities as a passer at the NFL level are up in the air at best. He'll compete with Sam Darnold for the chance to start for Carolina in 2022, though the latter should probably be considered the favorite for now. |
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Selected sixth overall by Carolina
Thu, Apr 28, 2022, 7:54 PM
The Panthers selected Ekwonu in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, sixth overall.
Analysis: Ekwonu is the first tackle off the board and provides the Panthers with a desperately needed talent boost on an offensive line that probably still needs more help yet. The Panthers keep Ekwonu in state following a distinguished career at North Carolina State, and the expectation is he'll soon take over as Carolina's starting left tackle. Ekwonu has below average reach for a left tackle at 6-foot-4 with 34-inch arms, but he offsets any reach limitations with exceptional range (4.93-second 40) and otherwise has excellent anchor ability to move defenders. |
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Sam Darnold Sam Darnold Still viewed as starter
Tue, Apr 19, 2022, 12:48 PM
Panthers offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo said he views Darnold as his starting quarterback, though McAdoo also added, "that is something I shouldn't have said," per David Newton of ESPN.com.
Analysis: The Panthers missed out on Deshaun Watson and Russell Wilson, but they could still make a move for Baker Mayfield or Jimmy Garoppolo, or else bring in an early draft pick to challenge Darnold. Ahead of the 2022 NFL Draft, it's only Darnold and P.J. Walker in the Carolina QB room for the start of the offseason program. Darnold has a guaranteed $18.9 million salary in 2022, the fifth and final year of his rookie contract. |
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Christian McCaffrey Christian McCaffrey Participating in offseason program
Mon, Apr 18, 2022, 2:30 PM
McCaffrey (ankle) is participating in offseason workouts.
Analysis: It's another hint McCaffrey didn't have too much trouble this offseason with any of the various injuries that impacted his 2021 campaign. He played only 10 games over the past two years, but he does seem to be in good health at the moment, and he averaged 112.1 total yards and 5.4 catches per game last season despite exiting early with injuries in two of his seven appearances. Apart from health, the biggest concern for McCaffrey is poor QB play, as the Panthers still are in the process of trying to upgrade on Sam Darnold. |
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Lands in Carolina
Mon, Apr 4, 2022, 10:30 AM
The Panthers signed Westry to a one-year contract Monday.
Analysis: Westry wasn't tendered by the Ravens, and he will now have a chance to compete for a depth role with a new organization. He made six appearances as a reserve option for Baltimore last season. |
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Shi Smith Shi Smith Arrested on multiple charges
Sat, Mar 26, 2022, 2:01 PM
Smith was arrested Friday on handgun and drug possession charges in addition to speeding, NFL.com reports.
Analysis: Smith was reportedly stopped initially for going 31 miles per hour over the speed limit but is now facing three charges. He was released on bond, though what will come next for him remains to be seen. |
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Sam Darnold Sam Darnold In the lead for top QB job
Fri, Mar 25, 2022, 2:21 PM
GM Scott Fitterer noted Friday that Darnold is currently "in the lead" for the Panthers' starting QB job, ESPN's David Newton reports.
Analysis: That said, less than a month ago Fitterer suggested that the job was "open,'' but at this stage P.J. Walker is the only other signal-caller on Carolina's roster. With that in mind, Fitterer indicated that the team intends to "add a lot of competition to (the QB) room" while adding he still hopes that Darnold can take the opportunity and run with it. It remains be seen if the Panthers bring in a veteran to compete with Darnold, elect to use a premium draft pick on a young QB, or both, but in the wake of a flurry of movement involving several high-profile players at his position, Darnold, at least for now, remains atop a Carolina depth chart that has yet to be filled out. |
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Will stick in Carolina through 2023
Fri, Mar 25, 2022, 12:46 PM
Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer said Friday that the Panthers will pick up the fifth-year option on Burns' rookie contract, Joe Person of The Athletic reports.
Analysis: Fitterer added that Burns is the kind of player -- like DJ Moore and Donte Jackson -- that the Panthers want to build around, and by locking him down through the 2022-23 campaign, that's exactly what they plan to do. This move is a no-brainer, as the 2019 No. 16 overall pick has 25.5 sacks and six forced fumbles through his first three seasons in the NFL. |
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Back with Panthers
Thu, Mar 24, 2022, 8:18 PM
Burris re-signed with the Panthers for one year Thursday.
Analysis: Burris spent the last two seasons with Carolina, and he served a significant role both on defense and special teams. His 2021 campaign got off to a late start due to a groin injury, though he still suited up for 10 games and racked up 23 total tackles with one interception. |
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Returns to Carolina
Wed, Mar 23, 2022, 1:02 PM
Melvin agreed to a one-year deal with the Panthers on Wednesday, Darin Gantt of the Panthers' official site reports.
Analysis: Melvin appeared in 10 games (two starts) with the Panthers last season and totaled 16 tackles. The 32-year-old is expected to provide veteran leadership to a youthful cornerback corps. |
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Christian McCaffrey Christian McCaffrey Restructures deal with Carolina
Tue, Mar 22, 2022, 6:51 PM
McCaffrey (ankle) restructured his contract with the Panthers on Tuesday, opening up about $5.5 million in salary cap space for 2022, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: The Panthers wanted to free up some cap space to maintain their flexibility for the offseason, and McCaffrey was a natural candidate for restructure. The 25-year-old is coming off his second consecutive injury-riddled season, as he was limited to seven games in 2021 by hamstring and ankle injuries, and he totaled 99 carries for 442 yards and 37 receptions for 343 yards with two total touchdowns. |
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