Panthers expected to sign former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney

Jadeveon Clowney is coming back to the Carolinas.

Well, it looks like the Carolina Panthers are going to have themselves a pair of pass-rushing Gamecocks.

According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Panthers have agreed to terms with free agent outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney. He is the second University of South Carolina product to settle into Charlotte this offseason, joining D.J. Wonnum, who signed a two-year, $14.5 million deal.

Clowney’s deal, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, is a two-year, $20 million pact that can be worth up to $24 million.

The Rock Hill, S.C., native is fresh off his best campaign in a handful of years, as he recorded 9.5 sacks, his most since 2017, and a career-high 71 pressures. He also earned the third-highest overall defensive grade of his career from Pro Football Focus with a solid mark of 85.7.

Clowney, 31, has spent a decade in the NFL, having also had stops with the Houston Texans, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans and Cleveland Browns. The 2014 No. 1 overall pick has amassed three Pro Bowl selections and a second-team All-Pro nod over that time.

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Panthers OLB D.J. Wonnum likely to miss OTAs due to quad injury

New free-agent signee D.J. Wonnum is likely to miss OTAs as he continues his recovery from a torn quad.

One of the Carolina Panthers’ newest weapons probably won’t be at their immediate disposal this offseason.

Head coach Dave Canales sat down with reporters at the NFL’s Annual League Meeting on Tuesday morning. When asked about his team’s pass rush, he spoke a bit about outside linebacker D.J. Wonnum—who is still recovering from a quadricep injury he sustained last season.

“I feel confident about playing with the guys we have right now,” Canales said, via Darin Gantt of Panthers.com. “DJ Wonnum, I don’t want him to speak specifically about his injury and all that stuff, but he’s rehabbing. But from his play on film, this is a starting-caliber outside linebacker with the pass rush. He’s versatile. I’m really excited about him.”

Canales also stated that Wonnum—whom the Panthers signed to a two-year, $12.5 million deal—is likely to miss team organized activities (OTAs) this spring.

The 26-year-old defender tore his quad in the Minnesota Vikings’ Week 16 outing against the Detroit Lions on Dec. 27. That put an end to Wonnum’s career campaign—one in which he notched bests in combined tackles (62) and sacks (8.0).

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Vikings give DL Jonah Williams a modest contract

The contract details for Minnesota Vikings DL Jonah Williams reveal a modest contract value.

Though the fanfare of the NFL’s free agency period has come and gone, there are still plenty of moves to be made and players to be signed. The Minnesota Vikings continue to make moves to fill out their roster, signing defensive lineman Jonah Williams last week to a one-year deal.

The specifics of that contract have now emerged, giving us a better idea of just how much the Vikings committed to their new signing. Williams signed a one-year deal worth $1.5 million. Included in that is a $1.1 million base salary with $250K guaranteed at signing. The deal also includes a $100K signing bonus and up to $275K in per-game bonuses and a $25K workout bonus.

Williams, originally an undrafted free agent out of Weber State, spent his first three seasons in Los Angeles with the Rams, where he worked his way into the starting lineup last season. Williams turned that starting opportunity into 49 tackles, two sacks, and four TFLs.

Williams now joins a Vikings defense that was one of the league’s best in 2023, but saw a lot of upheaval in free agency. Gone from the defense is Danielle Hunter, Marcus Davenport, Jordan Hicks, D.J. Wonnum, and Khyiris Tonga, among others. Williams is a small part in replacing those losses, but there’s more work to be done to fill out the roster.

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Report: Jets, free-agent OLB Jadeveon Clowney have ‘remained in constant contact’

The Jets may be looking to swoop in on another Panthers free-agent target.

The New York Jets may be primed to swoop in on another Carolina Panthers free-agent target.

According to Bleacher Report NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Jets and outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney have “remained in constant contact” following their meeting from this past week. Schultz also notes that while New York is “highly motivated” to sign the three-time Pro Bowler, the Panthers and Baltimore Ravens have maintained interest in deals of their own.

Clowney visited the Panthers back on March 14. The 31-year-old Rock Hill, S.C. native is coming off a productive 2023 campaign in Baltimore, where he posted 9.5 sacks and a career-high 71 pressures.

Since his visit, Carolina has signed fellow free-agent pass rushers D.J. Wonnum and K’Lavon Chaisson. They also expressed interest in former No. 2 overall pick Chase Young, who was ultimately scooped up by the NFC South rival New Orleans Saints.

In addition to Clowney, the Jets were in pursuit of wide receiver Mike Williams—who the Panthers met with as well. That pursuit proved to be a successful one, as Williams agreed to a one-year contract with New York.

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Panthers OLB D.J. Wonnum on replacing Brian Burns: ‘I’m not looking to replace anybody’

New Panthers OLB D.J. Wonnum isn’t looking to be the next Brian Burns in Carolina. He’s looking to be the best version of D.J. Wonnum.

D.J. Wonnum isn’t looking to be anyone but D.J. Wonnum.

On Monday, local reporters got the chance to talk to Wonnum—fresh off the signing of his two-year, $12.5 million deal with the Carolina Panthers. He began his Zoom call with a question from Mike Kaye of The Charlotte Observer, who asked why he chose to sign with the organization.

“Going into the free agency process, obviously there was a lot going on and a lot took place within that week,” Wonnum answered. “Once Carolina was brought up upon my representation, it was just like a light that just got bright. I was excited to go down there.

“And once I was down there, it was everything I thought it would be—as far as the coaches welcoming me, just having those talks and meetings with them and basically them telling me that I’m a big key or a big part of what they wanna do in the future. The words and the actions lined up. So I was excited to be here. Obviously, it’s closer to home and I went to college down the street. So, it just made sense.”

Wonnum attended the nearby University of South Carolina from 2016 to 2019. The Stone Mountain, Ga. native collected 29.5 sacks during that time, including a 13.5-sack output in 2017.

The 2020 fourth-round pick has gone on to amass 23.0 sacks for the Minnesota Vikings over the last four seasons. And although the 26-year-old’s stock is ascending following a career campaign, he’s not focused on what was in Carolina before he got there.

“Well, I’m not looking to replace anybody,” Wonnum replied when later asked if he’s hoping to replace Brian Burns. “I’m looking to be the best version of myself, the best player I know I can be. And obviously, the film that I’ve put out there, I can be an every-down starter.

“I can play the run, I can pass rush, I can drop in coverage, I can do whatever coach wants me to do. Obviously going here and coming here, I’ll be able to showcase that. And the future is bright for myself and the Carolina Panthers.”

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Panthers free-agent target Chase Young expected to sign with Saints

Free-agent pass rusher Chase Young, who visited with the Panthers last week, is expected to sign with the division rival Saints.

Well, Cameron Jordan was right.

As first reported by Bleacher Report’s Jordan Schultz on Monday, free-agent pass rusher Chase Young is expected to sign with the New Orleans Saints. The 24-year-old, who was initially slated to see the Saints at the end of last week, also visited with the Carolina Panthers this past Thursday.

Young was selected by Washington with the second overall pick of the 2020 NFL draft and went right on to capture AP Defensive Rookie of the Year honors. That debut campaign saw the Ohio State University star post 44 combined tackles, 7.5 sacks and four forced fumbles—all of which remain as career-highs.

Injury woes derailed his next two seasons, as Young appeared in just 12 contests between 2021 and 2022. The Commanders then shipped him to the San Francisco 49ers at this year’s trade deadline.

With Young off the board, three-time Pro Bowler Jadeveon Clowney still remains as an intriguing option for the Panthers. Carolina met with the 31-year-old Rock Hill, S.C. native and D.J. Wonnum—who they signed to a two-year, $12.5 million deal—last Thursday as well.

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4 players Minnesota Vikings should re-sign before free agency

The Minnesota Vikings have numerous free agents to look at re-signing. Our staff identified four players they should focus on bringing back.

The Minnesota Vikings are going into a very crucial offseason under general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell.

Not only is the starting quarterback in major flux with Kirk Cousins set to be a free agent, but outside linebacker Danielle Hunter is also set to hit the market along with wide receiver Justin Jefferson and left tackle Christian Darisaw set to receive extensions.

What should the Vikings end up doing in free agency? There are a lot of different options and we are set to explore them all.

First up, our staff took a look at four players the Vikings should re-sign.

Vikings add key defensive piece in Daniel Jeremiah’s mock

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah has the Vikings take a key piece on defense in his latest mock draft.

NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah gave us his Mock Draft 2.0 just before the start of the NFL Scouting Combine next week. Due to it still being in the beginning stages of the pre-draft process, this is a no-trade mock draft.

At pick 11, the Minnesota Vikings take Alabama edge rusher Dallas Turner to help boost their pass rush.

I wouldn’t rule out the Vikings drafting a quarterback early, but I’m not sure they’ll have the ammunition to trade up for one. With Danielle Hunter heading for free agency, they address the need for pass-rush help.

Turner is a popular pick for the Vikings in experts’ mock drafts, especially if they stay the course at 11 instead of trying to trade up for one of the top quarterbacks in this draft.

The edge rusher position is a huge question mark for the Vikings, with Hunter and Wonnum potentially having a sizeable market if they test out free agency.

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Three NFL free agent defenders that are being slept on

From safety to edge rusher, these players will be valuable additions to any team this offseason

The first days of NFL free agency are some of the most exciting on the NFL calendar. The biggest available names ponder their futures and where their next home will be while we all just sit wide-eyed, mindlessly shoving popcorn down our gullets refreshing social media waiting for updates.

And while everyone will be curious to see where quarterbacks like Kirk Cousins end up, or the big name receivers like Mike Evans sign, there are plenty of talented players that don’t get the attention they deserve when discussing high-impact players- here are a few of those players.

Pro Football Network report names Vikings’ OLB D.J. Wonnum a top “sleeper” free agent

Is D.J. Wonnum a sleeper in the free agent market? Pro Football Network’s Adam Caplan believes so

As we inch closer to the NFL’s free agency period, the Minnesota Vikings have a number of decisions they’re going to have to make in the next few weeks. Kirk Cousins and Danielle Hunter are the two high-profile free agents that Minnesota will have to make a choice on, but they have a number of other players about to hit the open market.

One of those players, D.J. Wonnum, could garner more attention on the open market than some may realize. According to a report from PFN’s Adam Caplan, one NFL pro personnel source has said that Wonnum is a “top sleeper” for this year’s free agency period.

Defensively, keep an eye on D.J. Wonnum, who a pro personnel source said should be considered a top “sleeper” for free agency. Wonnum, who has posted 23 sacks in his four seasons of play, played in a career-high 83% of the team’s defensive snaps last season and has excellent length and size as an edge rusher (6-5, 260, 34 1/8-arm).

In addition to Hunter and Wonnum, the Vikings are also going to have to make a decision on EDGE rusher Marcus Davenport. Davenport, who was brought in last season from the New Orleans Saints, was a high-profile signing last season, but failed to live up to expectations, due in large part to injuries. When Davenport was healthy, he was a productive piece in Brian Flores’ much-improved Vikings defense.

Caplan goes on to say that he anticipates the Vikings bringing back at least one of those three, but that Hunter could fetch a steep price, somewhere between 17 and 20 million, on the open market. Davenport, at least according to Caplan, is likely to be the odd man out in this scenario.

Look for Minnesota to make a push to re-sign at least one of them, but Hunter, who turns 30 in late October, could yield a deal worth $17-$20 million per season elsewhere due to his outstanding productivity over his career and versatility. Both sides agreed to a revised one-year deal last season worth $17 million (fully guaranteed).

As for Marcus Davenport, who only played in just four games last season due to injury, look for him to be playing elsewhere.

Minnesota has a number of players scheduled to hit free agency, and not a lot of money to play with once you factor in the need to sign the eventual 2024 NFL draft class. It will be interesting to see where general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah chooses to prioritize spending that money.

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