The 2021 NFL Draft is now behind us, but while the Panthers have no more draft picks to spend they now, have a chance to add further talent in the form of undrafted free agents. This has been a historic source of talent for the Panthers who have added the likes of Andrew Norwell, Corey Brown and Mario Addison all being former undrafted free agents.
This is also an area where the Panthers were able to make a real impact last year, with Austin Larkin, Sam Franklin, Myles Hartsfield and Joe Charlton all making an impact after signing as undrafted free agents, with camp stand-out Omar Bayless expected to compete for playing time this year after missing last season with injury. If the Panthers are able to replicate a UDFA class of that caliber in 2021, then it will go a long way to augmenting the players they were able to add in the draft.
So here we are going to be keeping a running list of the UDFAs the Panthers are signing, so check back in as the day goes on to find out which other rookies will be competing for roster spots, and maybe even playing time, come training camp.
Photo Credit: Panthers
Paddy Fisher, LB (Northwestern)
Fisher racked up over 400 tackles in four seasons at Northwestern including back-to-back 100 tackle seasons in 2017 and 2018, and will compete for a roster spot behind the like of Shaq Thompson, Denzel Perryman and Jermaine Carter. A solid run defender, Fisher will need to impress on special teams to make the roster, but will add depth a competition, two things that Matt Rhule and Scott Fitterer clearly prioritize.
Oscar Draguicevich III, P (Washington State)
The Panthers add some competition and insurance behind Joe Charlton with Draguicevich who has overaged over 45 yards per punt over each of the past three seasons and a net yardage of over forty yards each of the past four seasons, not to mention a career-best 78 yard punt in 2020. He will likely face an uphill battle to make the roster, but that was the view when the Panthers signed Joe Charlton a year ago.
Photo Credit: Associated Press
David Moore, OG (Grambling State)
Small-school standout Moore comes to Carolina after impressing the Panthers’ coaches at the Senior Bowl, and while he needs to continue to work on his technique, most notably his pad level, he has the upside to be a high-quality starter with time with the power to move people in the run game and the agility to cover laterally in pass protection.
Mason Stokke, FB (Wisconsin)
Panthers add more competition in the race to replace Alex Armah as the Panthers’ primary fullback. Stokke, who measures in at 6’2 and a shade under 240lbs has surpassed 100 yards rushing and receiving over his three seasons at Wisconsin and has six career touchdowns to go with that. Will need to impress on special teams to win the job over Mikey Daniel who the Panthers signed in free agency.
Photo Credit: Chris Williams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Spencer Brown, RB (UAB)
The 6’0 220lbs Brown gives the Panthers the physical downhill rusher they could have missed with Mike Davis departing to Atlanta in free agency. Brown rushed for over 4,000 combined yards in his four seasons at UAB, and augmented that with 41 rushing touchdowns. He will need to show that he can be more of a factor in the passing game than his 20 career receptions suggest, but will have a chance to compete for a spot in what looks to be quite a deep running back room.
(Top photo via Brandon Todd/Carolina Panthers)
