The Panthers were able to address some weak spots on the roster with their draft picks last month but weren’t able to add much help to the offensive and defensive fronts. Thanks to a number of departures and a relatively small, seven-man draft class, Carolina was able to add a large, 19-man undrafted free agent group that does just that. Here’s the list of new UDFAs:
- Ulumoo Ale, DT (Washington)
- Popo Aumavae, DE (Oregon)
- Jalen Coker, WR (Holy Cross)
- Jeremiah Crawford, OT (Tennessee)
- Willie Drew, CB (Virginia State)
- Christian Duffie, OT (Kansas State)
- Kenny Dyson, OLB (Bryant)
- Kevin Foelsch, TE (New Haven)
- DeShawn Gaddie, CB (Mississippi)
- Darius Hodges, DE (Tulane)
- Clayton Isbell, S (Coastal Carolina)
- Derrick McLendon, OLB (Colorado)
- Harrison Mevis, K (Missouri) (story)
- Jackson Mitchell, LB (UConn)
- Sam Pinckney, WR (Coastal Carolina)
- Jack Plummer, QB (Louisville)
- Andrew Raym, C (Oklahoma)
- Demani Richardson, S (Texas A&M)
- Jaden Shirden, RB (Monmouth)
On offense, the Panthers add a little depth and a bit of potential, as well. Plummer was a journeyman in college, playing at Purdue for four years before spending a year each at Cal and Louisville. After a quiet tenure with the Boilermakers, Plummer delivered back-to-back 3,000-yard, 21-touchdown passing seasons for the Golden Bears and Cardinals.
At running back, Shirden doesn’t have much size or power, but his quick burst and speed are great attributes. In 2022, he led the FCS in rushing with 1,722 yards and 13 touchdowns while averaging 8.4 yards per carry. He followed that up in 2023 with 1,478 yards and 10 touchdowns. Coker was another small school phenom at Holy Cross. In his final two years, Coker caught 109 balls for 1,952 yards and 26 touchdowns. The jump in competition will be large for both players, but if they can make the adjustment, they could each earn roster spots.
Raym could be an underrated addition as a backup center after 29 starts at the position for the Sooners. He lacks perfect technique and athleticism but has toughness and instincts that could help him succeed in the NFL, and we’ve seen other linemen out of Oklahoma with similar limitations strive in the league.
On defense, Carolina brings in the try-hard Husky Mitchell. In all three years as a full-time starter, Mitchell led his team in tackles with 120, 140, and 113 from 2021-23. He stuffed the stat sheet over his collegiate career with 25 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, six forced fumbles, 10 passes defensed, and three interceptions. He struggles to overcome blockers and doesn’t cover well, but his above-average play recognition could make him a nuisance.
The Panthers added a small school phenom on defense, as well. Drew comes in from Virginia State, where he dominated in his last two seasons as a starter. He showed elite ball skills, racking up 34 passes defensed and 11 interceptions in those two years. Like Shirden and Coker, he’ll need to trust his abilities and develop to compete with much tougher competition.
Ben Levine contributed to this post.