UDFA Signings

[jbland]

55 minutes ago, bull123 said:

So each team gets 19?

Each team gets as many as they want as long as they don’t have more than 90 players on their roster. 

[sml1950]

Very unlikely to fill out a complete roster with UDFAs. Teams begin cutting players that they replaced in draft and FA begins again without compensatory implication.  

[45catfan]

9 minutes ago, sml1950 said:

Very unlikely to fill out a complete roster with UDFAs. Teams begin cutting players that they replaced in draft and FA begins again without compensatory implication.  

I suspect as many as 4 spots will be left open for regular FAs.  I wouldn't be opposed to bringing Ross Cockrell back on a 1 or 2-year deal.   That way our YOUNG secondary has a proven veteran to learn from.

We still need a camp QB.  After at maybe another C/G and call it a wrap. 

[Mayor Qumiby]

11 hours ago, PntherPryd said:

Let me dig up that quote about how excited he was to work with Cam....

Dumb comparison.

[MHS831]

So far, here is what I have on a few players with legit chances to make the team.  I have not looked at all yet, but this group has 3-4 players (Orr, Bowen, Ricci and Bayless) that could be on the final roster, and probably two or three that could be on the PS (Smith, Horton, and Mauigoa).  Obviously, this is a "work in progress" and I do not even have complete list yet:

RB, Rodney Smith, Minnesota

Former #Gophers RB Rodney Smith is signing with the Carolina Panthers, per source.

— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) April 25, 2020

According to multiple reports, the Panthers have signed Rodney Smith. Last season for the Golden Gophers, Smith rushed for 1,163 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games. Blocking could be his biggest strength:  " Tasked with notable reps as a pass protector and stands in firm against second level defenders to buy time, has likable aggression on such reps." (Draft Network)

The Panthers are looking for a returner, and that’s also an area where Smith has experience. He averaged 15.3 yards per return in four seasons at Minnesota. 

MHS take:  This is a name we are familiar with--in a loaded RB draft, he fell out of the top 7 rounds.  He will need to beat out 4 RBs on the roster (CMC, Bonnefon, Davis, and Scarlett)--slim chance to make final roster (PS candidate)

OL, Branden Bowen, Ohio State

Ohio State offensive lineman Branden Bowen plans to sign a free agent deal with the Carolina Panthers. 

Eleven Warriors is reporting that the Panthers have plans to sign offensive lineman Branden Bowen. Carolina could use some depth on their offensive line, especially since the team did not select one during the entire draft. 

MHS Take:  Bowen was a decent RT for the Buckeyes--he earned a starting position as a sophomore, and was injured halfway through the season (2017).  In 2018, he missed the entire season, having to have multiple surgeries as a result of the injury.  In 2019, he was a starting RT for the Buckeyes, but was not invited to the combine.  If he can recover, he would be a solid option to consider as a G or backup RT.  I would say that he has a decent chance of making the team--if he can play G better than RT. (insider information from a Columbus Chiropractor who has season tickets and knows OSU football more than the Pope knows religion.  I am married to his sister).

LB, Chris Orr, Wisconsin

Linebacker was a position many thought the Panthers would address during this year’s draft. Instead, Carolina appears to have found themselves one on the undrafted free agent market. 

According to his Twitter account, it appears Wisconsin linebacker Chris Orr has signed with the Panthers. The Texas native recorded 11.5 sacks as a senior in 2019, the most in a season by an inside/middle linebacker in Badger history as he helped the team to a single-season school record 51 sacks. 

MHS take:  Do not discount this one.  His pro day revealed athleticism comparable to the best LBs at the combine.  He is a leader.  The knock on Orr is his size (6', 225) --think Sam Mills.  

This from SI:  As placekicker Collin Larsh told reporters after a crushing upset loss at Illinois on Oct. 19, "Chris Orr is the best leader that I've ever been around."

Especially in that final season, Orr's film demonstrates his ability to be a presence in the opposing teams' backfield. His combined football IQ and speed allowed him to attack opponents' run games and found his way to the quarterback when called upon. 

His performance at Wisconsin's pro day in March also allowed him to show his agility and speed to all 32 NFL teams in attendance.

According to NFL.com's combine tracker, his 4.08-second 20-yard shuttle would have been tops among all designated linebackers who participated in that test. His 6.99 three-cone drill would have placed him fifth in that group, and his 36.5" vertical jump would have had him ranked eighth. He also bench pressed 225 pounds 20 times.

Pro Day Results

Player	40-Yard Dash	20-Yard Shuttle	3-Cone Drill	Broad Jump	Vertical Jump	Bench Press
Chris Orr	4.65 seconds	4.08 seconds	6.99 seconds	110.0"	36.5"	20 reps of 225 pounds

I think he has a legitimate shot to make the roster.  I am still not convinced that Shaq is the MLB.  It is not that easy to move from OLB to ILB--the reads are totally different--coverage is different.  I would say Orr has a great chance to make the roster.

OL, Mike Horton, Auburn

Mike Horton practiced against Panthers first-round pick Derrick Brown a lot during practices while at Auburn. It seems like he will continue to do that this summer during training camp. 

The Auburn Tigers’ official Twitter account is reporting that offensive lineman Mike Horton has signed with the Panthers. The 6-foot-4, 325 pound Atlanta native, started the last two seasons at right guard for the Tigers. 

MHS take:  The RG position has a decent to average player slated to start on a short contract.  Surely the Panthers will look to develop talent there.  It should be noted that Horton was recruited as a T, but has 33" arms and limited agility, so he was kicked inside and played both G positions for Auburn.  Has 2 seasons of starting experience under his belt.  The PS may be this player's ceiling, but I wonder if the coaches saw something they liked when scouting Derrick Brown.

WR, Omar Bayless, Arkansas State

I’m not gone talk about it… Thank you @Panthers you won’t regret it I promise to the good Lord myself

— Omar Bayless (@omar_bayless) April 26, 2020

According to reports, Arkansas State receiver Omar Bayless is headed to the Panthers as an undrafted free agent. Last season for the Red Wolves, Bayless recorded 93 receptions for 1,653 yards and 17 touchdowns.

MHS Take:  He could potentially be an undrafted gem for the Panthers offense. Bayless is 6-3 and wins contested passes.  I cannot figure out how this guy went undrafted.   WR is going to be wide open (he he) with about 12 players fighting for 5-6 roster spots.  However, Bayless has as good a chance as anyone.  This is an example of a small school gem/sleeper falling out of the draft in a strong WR draft.  I think he makes the team.

 

C, Fred Mauigioa, Washington State

WSU's Fred Mauigoa, the center for Luke Falk, Gardner Minshew and Anthony Gordon, tells me he's just signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Carolina Panthers.

— Theo Lawson (@TheoLawson_SR) April 26, 2020

The Spokesman-Review is reporting that Washington State center Fred Mauigoa has agreed to sign an undrafted free agent deal with the Panthers. Mauigioa started all 13 games at center for the Cougars as he was rated the 2nd-best screen-blocking center in the Pac-12 Conference. 

MHS Take:  We could use a center.  However, there are others who can play C, for example, free agent signing Reed has C experience---so he will have to change some minds to get a job.

TE, Giovanni Ricci, Western Michigan

Western Michigan tight end Giovanni Ricci to the Panthers on a $17,000 signing bonus

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) April 26, 2020

Western Michigan’s Giovanni Ricci signed as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Panthers on Saturday, as first reported by Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound tight end had a breakout season for the Broncos last season as he recorded 51 passes for 642 yards and eight touchdowns. 

MHS Take:  NFL teams get about $100K for undrafted free agent signing bonuses---so this player was given 17% of that amount (mad math skills at work).  If so, then that is close to 1/6 of the entire amount.  That means they like him.  Looks to be a smallish, pass catching TE that had a productive SR year.

I watched this video on him (#15).  He is a complete football player. Good blocker, good receiver--used him more like an Hback---matchup problem?

 

 

[Mvp2014]

Any of these guys good?

[ForJimmy]

I could see Orr becoming a special teams captain and back up LB for us. Smaller size, but great heart/leadership. Im loving the Gophers RB and big school OGs we picked up as well. Rodney Smith should have a good shot to make the team as Mike Davis will probably be cut because of the cap hit.

[MHS831]

2 minutes ago, ForJimmy said:

I could see Orr becoming a special teams captain and back up LB for us. Smaller size, but great heart/leadership. Im loving the Gophers RB and big school OGs we picked up as well. Rodney Smith should have a good shot to make the team as Mike Davis will probably be cut because of the cap hit.

I would add to this well-written response that the WR (Bayless) is really good--not sure why he fell---

I see Orr and Bayless with good chances.  The others?  SEC and BIG 10 OL....good shots.  Not sure about the center fromWSU...

[MrBubba]

Rodney Smith
WR Omar Bayless
WR TreVontae Hights
TE Cam Sutton
TE Giovanni Ricci
OL Branden Bowen
C Frederick Mauigoa
OG Mike Horton
DT Myles Adams
LB Jason Ferris
LB Sam Franklin Jr.
LB Chris Orr
LB Jordan Mack
CB Myles Hartsfield

[stbugs]

15 minutes ago, ForJimmy said:

I could see Orr becoming a special teams captain and back up LB for us. Smaller size, but great heart/leadership. Im loving the Gophers RB and big school OGs we picked up as well. Rodney Smith should have a good shot to make the team as Mike Davis will probably be cut because of the cap hit.

Why Mike Davis is still on the roster, I have no clue. 2 rushes for 2 yards isn’t $3M a year. There’s no scenario where he’s worth that. Bonnafon will be the backup, maybe Scarlett. Knock on wood, but if we actually needed Davis due to CMC injury our season is already done. I don’t think much of Teddy, but if we are starting Grier or Bonnafon, we cannot win.

[GOAT]

Omar Bayless is nice as f.

this staff could turn him into a freak receiver. unteachable hands and hand eye coordination.

[saX man]

I like that we dove in and got a lot of linebackers.

Also--Ohio State's starting RT and Bayless seem super interesting. 

[saX man]

Out of all of them think Chris Orr has the best shot to make the team.

[stbugs]

9 minutes ago, saX man said:

Out of all of them think Chris Orr has the best shot to make the team.

Bayless by far. He’s got the least real competition to become WR4 or WR5. With no offseason, I’ll bet it much easier to impress as a WR than LB.