Panthers Sign Vernon Butler
The Panthers have completed signing their 2016 draft class, announcing today that first-round defensive tackle Vernon Butler has officially put pen to paper on his rookie contract. Butler had been the last of Carolina’s five draftees to formally sign his new four-year deal.
Of course, unlike the rest of the Panthers’ draft picks, Butler’s four-year pact will include a fifth-year option for 2020. His deal will also be the richest of any of Carolina’s rookie contracts — per Over the Cap, it will be worth nearly $8.397MM, with a signing bonus of about $4.307MM and a first-year cap charge of approximately $1.527MM.
For the Panthers, Butler will add another imposing presence on the interior of a defensive line that already looks strong at that spot. The former Louisiana Tech lineman will join a rotation headed by Kawann Short and Star Lotulelei, with Paul Soliai and others also in the mix.
With their draft picks secured, the Panthers will be able to focus on other things during this weekend’s rookie minicamp. As David Newton of ESPN.com details, the club still has five openings on its 90-man roster, and with 35 tryout players in attendance at the minicamp, there’s a good chance that a handful of those players will earn contracts within the next few days.
This weekend also represents the first opportunity the Panthers will have to see if any of their young players are capable of handling some of the snaps that went to cornerback Josh Norman in 2015, Newton writes in a separate piece. Noting that GM Dave Gettleman used three of his five picks on corners, Newton examines that subplot, along with a few others to keep an eye on in Carolina.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Panthers Sign Zack Sanchez
- The Panthers have also signed each of their draft picks except for their first-rounder, having formally locked up fifth-round cornerback Zack Sanchez today, per David Newton of ESPN.com. Sanchez, the 141st overall pick in the draft, is in line for a four-year contract worth $2.612MM, with a signing bonus of about $272K, according to Over the Cap’s data.
Former Agent On Kawann Short's Contract
- Former agent Joel Corry spoke with USA Today about his expectations for a potential contract extension between the Panthers and defensive tackle Kawann Short. Corry feels that Short will seek a minimum of $15MM per year and $50MM overall in guarantees. He also expressed confidence that Short’s agent, Joel Segal, will aim high after negotiating Justin Houston‘s substantial deal with the Chiefs. An average salary of $15MM would place Short as the fourth highest defensive tackle in the league, behind Gerald McCoy, Marcell Dareus, and Ndamukong Suh. A $50MM guarantee would also place him at No. 4 at his position. Short, 27, enjoyed a breakout season in 2015, recording 11 sacks to go along with 55 tackles, three forced fumbles, and a pair of fumble recoveries.
- Eric Stokes is in the mix for a high-level scouting position with the Panthers, Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets. Carolina is looking to fill positions following the departure of Ryan Cowden. Stokes previously served as the Dolphins’ assistant GM and also had stints with the Bucs and Seahawks.
Panthers Sign Daryl Worley
- The Panthers have signed their third draftee, confirming today that they’ve got third-round cornerback Daryl Worley under contract. Worley’s four-year deal figures to be worth $3.123MM, with a $783K signing bonus, per Over the Cap. Carolina now needs to sign just two more draft picks, including first-round defensive tackle Vernon Butler.
Kiper: Panthers Have Multiple UDFAs To Watch
- In an Insider-only piece for ESPN.com, draft guru Mel Kiper identifies 30 undrafted free agents to keep an eye on this summer. The Bills, Panthers, Bears, Broncos, Colts, Saints, Jets, 49ers each have two signees on the list, while the Buccaneers have an impressive four of the 30.
What Is Kawann Short Worth?
- Earlier today, a report indicated that the Panthers and standout defensive tackle Kawann Short had begun discussing a contract extension. David Newton of ESPN.com explores what such a deal might be worth, reaching the same conclusion we did: Carolina won’t offer an Ndamukong Suh-type contract, but something that puts him in the second tier of highest-paid DTs wouldn’t be unreasonable.
Panthers Sign James Bradberry
- The Panthers announced the signing of second-round cornerback James Bradberry and seventh-round tight end Beau Sandland. Bradberry started his collegiate career at Arkansas State but finished up at Samford.
Panthers, Kawann Short Begin Talking Extension
The Panthers have opened contract extension negotiations with standout defensive tackle Kawann Short, reports Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (via Twitter). Because he was a second-round pick in 2013, Short’s rookie deal doesn’t include a fifth-year option for 2017, so he’s set to enter the last year of his contract if he doesn’t sign an extension.
Short, 27, enjoyed a breakout season in 2015, earning his first Pro Bowl nod and starting all 16 of the Panthers’ games for the first time. The Purdue product racked up 11 sacks to go along with 55 tackles, three forced fumbles, and a pair of fumble recoveries. He also added two more sacks and a forced fumble in the postseason.
As PFR’s Dallas Robinson observed in his preview of the Panthers’ offseason, the negotiations between Short’s camp and the team will be interesting. On one hand, the Pro Bowl defender has really only produced at an elite level for one season. However, there’s no reason to think Short’s reps won’t make the case that their client deserves to be paid like Marcell Dareus or Gerald McCoy — those players inked long-term pacts worth $95MM+, making them the highest-paid 4-3 defensive tackles in the NFL not named Ndamukong Suh.
With Josh Norman no longer in the mix in Carolina, the Panthers will have a little extra flexibility to commit to a long-term deal for Short, though the team likely wouldn’t have had a problem making an extension work anyway, given its comfortable amount of cap room.
If the two sides can’t work out a multiyear extension at some point in 2016, Short figures to be a candidate for the franchise tag next offseason. This year, the franchise salary for a defensive tackle was $13.615MM, and that figure will likely get a modest bump in 2017, so Short and the Panthers will both keep that number in mind during contract discussions.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Panthers Have Options At Punter
- After their former punter, Brad Nortman, headed to Jacksonville in free agency, the Panthers will head into camp with Swayze Waters and Michael Palardy competing for the 2016 job. However, as Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer observes, there should be veteran options out there if Carolina wants to go in that direction. Former San Diego punter Mike Scifres is already a free agent, while Denver’s Britton Colquitt is a release candidate.
Trai Turner Hires New Agent
- Panthers guard Trai Turner has hired agent Ron Butler for representation, tweets Rand Getlin of NFL.com.