Panthers Reduce Roster To 53
The Panthers are the first team of the day to officially get down to 53 players. The team’s moves are below:
Waived:
- DT Myles Adams
- DB Quin Blanding
- RB Reggie Bonnafon
- OT Branden Bowen
- DT Woodrow Hamilton
- DT Bruce Hector
- OG Mike Horton
- DB Jameson Houston
- WR Ishmael Hyman
- DB Natrell Jamerson
- DE Jalen Jelks
- LB Jordan Kunaszyk
- DE Austin Larkin
- WR Marken Michel
- OT Aaron Monterio
- LB James Onwualu
- LB Chris Orr
- WR Cam Phillips
- TE Giovanni Ricci
- WR Darrell Stewart
- C Sam Tecklenburg
- TE Colin Thompson
- K/P Kaare Vedvik
Released:
One of the most notable names on the list is Bonnafon, who has been with the organization since 2018. The running back appeared in 16 games last season, rushing for 116 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries. He also hauled in six receptions for 57 yards.
Of course, considering that the NFL was expanded practice squads to 16 players for the 2020 campaign, there’s a good chance that Bonnafon (along with several other players on this list) end up being retained by the organization.
Panthers Agree To Terms With 17 UDFAs
The Panthers have been busy adding undrafted free agents, as the organization announced that they’ve agreed to terms with 17 rookies:
- Myles Adams, DE (Rice)
- Omar Bayless, WR (Arkansas State)
- Branden Bowen, OT (Ohio State)
- Jason Ferris, LB (Montana Western)
- Sam Franklin, LB (Temple)
- Myles Hartsfield, DB (Mississippi)
- TreVontae Hights, WR (TCU)
- Mike Horton, G (Auburn)
- Jordan Mack, LB (Virginia)
- Frederick Mauigoa, C (Washington State)
- Chris Orr, LB (Wisconsin)
- David Reese, LB (Florida)
- Giovanni Ricci, TE (Western Michigan)
- Austrian Robinson, DT (Mississippi)
- Rodney Smith, RB (Minnesota)
- Cam Sutton, TE (Fresno State)
- Sam Tecklenburg, OL (Baylor)
As the press release notes, three of those free agents (Mack, Sutton, Thompson) officially signed with the Panthers on Monday.
The front office was clearly looking to plug a hole at linebacker, as the organization added five undrafted rookies at the position. While the front office used each of their seven draft picks on defensive players, all those rookies are either defensive backs or defensive linemen.
The Panthers are also making a relatively large investment in Bayless. Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle tweets that the wideout will earn $100K in guaranteed money. The Arkansas State product finished last season with 93 receptions for 1,653 yards and 17 touchdowns.