Tag: Clayton Isbell

Giants sign Clayton Isbell, waive Dennis Houston

The New York Giants have signed undrafted rookie safety Clayton Isbell and waived WR Dennis Houston with an injury designation.

The New York Giants continued tinkering with their roster on Monday, signing safety Clayton Isbell.

The Carolina Panthers signed Isbell, 24, as a rookie free agent out of Coastal Carolina following the 2024 NFL draft. He was waived on July 26.

The 6-foot-2, 220-pound Isbell appeared in 13 games as a senior, recording 89 tackles (49 solo, 4.5 for a loss), one sack, five passes defensed, and three interceptions.

NFL Network draft analyst Lance Zierlein viewed Isbell as a priory free agent and believed a position change was potentially in order.

Long-limbed down safety whose pedestrian timed speed and above-average size could force a position change to linebacker. Isbell is quick to diagnose and flow downhill to the action and is a willing hitter, but his pursuit angles and tackle strength both need upgrading to eliminate missed tackles. His coverage background and ball production could give him an advantage when asked to match up against pass-catching tight ends. Isbell might need to earn his way as an undrafted free agent but he has some elements to work with as a potential practice-squad talent.

In a corresponding roster move, the Giants waived wide receiver Dennis Houston with an injury designation.

If Houston clears waivers, he will revert to injured reserve (IR).

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Panthers signing former Packers DB Rudy Ford

The Panthers have reportedly signed DB Rudy Ford.

The Carolina Panthers have reportedly made an addition to their secondary.

According to Joe Person of The Athletic, the team has signed safety Rudy Ford. The 29-year-old defensive back was one of a few free agents in attendance for a workout on Wednesday.

A Big Cove, Ala. native, Ford played his college ball at nearby Auburn University from 2013 to 2016. Over those four years, he amassed 275 total tackles (11.5 for a loss), five interceptions, 11 passes defensed, 1.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

Ford would go on to be selected in the sixth round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Arizona Cardinals, whom he played his first two pro campaigns with. He appeared in 23 games with only one start for Arizona, serving primarily on special teams.

He’s since picked up stints with the Philadelphia Eagles (2019 to 2020), Jacksonville Jaguars (2021) and Green Bay Packers (2022 to 2023). Ford started in 15 of his 30 games for Green Bay, totaling 115 tackles and five picks.

Update (2:36 p.m. ET): In the corresponding move to make room for Ford, the Panthers waived rookie safety Clayton Isbell.

Carolina also released outside linebacker Kemoko Turay off injured reserve.

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Panthers bring back rookie safety

The Panthers added rookie S Clayton Isbell back to their training camp roster.

The Carolina Panther have brought a rookie defender back to training camp.

As announced just minutes before the start of Saturday’s practice, the team has returned safety Clayton Isbell to their roster. Isbell, who was waived last Friday, signed on with the Panthers as an undrafted free agent this past spring.

Isbell split his collegiate career between three programs—Illinois State University (2018 to 2021), the University of Utah (2022) and Coastal Carolina University (2023). The 6-foot-2, 220-pounder shined in that final season for the Chanticleers—recording 89 total tackles (4.5 for a loss) and three interceptions en route to a Third-team All-Sun Belt Conference selection.

In the corresponding move to make room for Isbell, the Panthers waived/injured tight end Curtis Hodges—who signed with the team ahead of their Fan Fest on Thursday evening. The 6-foot-7, 240-pounder, who also cracked into the NFL as an undrafted free agent, spent the last two seasons with the Washington Commanders.

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Panthers sign 4 players on Friday

The Panthers added a handful of help on Friday.

The Carolina Panthers officially added a handful of players on Friday.

As announced this afternoon, the team has signed four free agents—wide receiver Devin Carter, tight end Feleipe Franks, outside linebacker Kemoko Turay and cornerback Kiondre Thomas.

Turay, whose signing was first reported on by Aaron Wilson of KPRC 2 Houston this morning, emerges out of a pass-rushing group that included a few notable tryouts. Carolina also hosted looks for 2017 Pro Bowler Yannick Ngakoue, former Cincinnati Bengal and New York Jet Carl Lawson and Marquis Haynes Sr.—who has spent each of his six NFL campaigns with the Panthers.

The 6-foot-5, 248-pounder was a second-round draft pick of the Indianapolis Colts in 2018. He’s amassed 12.0 career sacks, as well as short stints with the San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons, over five seasons.

To make room for the bunch, the Panthers placed veteran wideout Cam Sims on the reserve/physically unable to perform list and waived receiver Sam Pinckney, offensive lineman Christian Duffie and safety Clayton Isbell.

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Panthers projected depth chart following 2024 NFL draft

How do this year’s draft picks and undrafted free agents fit into the fold for the Panthers?

We’re not going to get too ahead of ourselves with our new friends. But we are a bit eager to see their names in the mix.

Here, with undrafted free agents included, is our projected depth chart for the Carolina Panthers following the 2024 NFL draft . . .

Bold = draft pick
Italics = undrafted free-agent signee

Offense:

1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
QB Bryce Young Andy Dalton Jack Plummer
RB Chuba Hubbard Miles Sanders Jonathon Brooks Raheem Blackshear Mike Boone Spencer Brown Tarik Cohen Jaden Shirden
WR Diontae Johnson Jonathan Mingo David Moore Jalen Camp Jalen Coker
WR Xavier Legette Terrace Marshall Jr. Michael Strachan Cam Sims Sam Pinckney
SWR Adam Thielen Ihmir Smith-Marsette Devin Carter
TE Tommy Tremble Ja’Tavion Sanders Ian Thomas Stephen Sullivan Jordan Matthews Chris Pierce
LT Ikem Ekwonu Yosh Nijman Ricky Lee Jeremiah Crawford
LG Damien Lewis Cade Mays
C Austin Corbett Brady Christensen Andrew Raym
RG Robert Hunt Chandler Zavala Nash Jensen J.D. DiRenzo
RT Taylor Moton Ilm Manning Badara Traore

Defense:

1st 2nd 3rd 4th
DE Derrick Brown LaBryan Ray Jaden Crumedy
DT Shy Tuttle Nick Thurman Popo Aumavae
DE A’Shawn Robinson Raequan Williams
OLB Jadeveon Clowney K’Lavon Chaisson Amaré Barno Derrick McClendon
LB Shaq Thompson Trevin Wallace Chandler Wooten Claudin Cherelus
LB Josey Jewell Tae Davis Michael Barrett Jackson Mitchell
OLB D.J. Wonnum DJ Johnson Luiji Vilain Taylor Upshaw
CB Jaycee Horn D’Shawn Jamison Lamar Jackson
CB Dane Jackson Dicaprio Bootle Willie Drew
SS Xavier Woods Jammie Robinson Sam Franklin Jr. Demani Richardson Clayton Isbell
FS Jordan Fuller Nick Scott Alex Cook DeShawn Gaddie Jr.
NCB Troy Hill Chau Smith-Wade AJ Parker

Special teams:

1st 2nd
K Eddy Piñeiro Harrison Mevis
P Johnny Hekker
LS JJ Jansen
KR Raheem Blackshear Ihmir Smith-Marsette Xavier Legette
PR Ihmir Smith-Marsette Xavier Legette

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