The Panthers have locked up second-round defensive end Kony Ealy, according to the team, confirming today in a press release that Ealy has signed his four-year rookie contract. The former Missouri pass rusher is the fourth of six Carolina draftees to ink his deal, with only first-round wideout Kelvin Benjamin and third-round guard Trai Turner still unsigned.
“We had a first-round value on Kony Ealy. He’s got a lot of potential,” general manager Dave Gettleman said in a statement. “You cannot have too many pass rushers. You can’t. It’s impossible.”
The 60th overall pick, Ealy should be in line for a signing bonus worth just under $900K, according to Jason Fitzgerald of OverTheCap.com. Overall, Ealy’s contract will have a base value of approximately $3.547MM.