Tag: Eku Leota

Panthers announce 11 signings to initial 2023 practice squad

The Panthers signed the first 11 players to their initial 2023 practice squad.

The Carolina Panthers did plenty of work on Tuesday, making over 20 moves to get their once 90-man roster down to just 53. But, as always, their work was never done.

Next, on Wednesday, came the construction of the team’s initial practice squad. Here, as announced this afternoon, are the first 11 members of the group:

  • RB Spencer Brown
  • G Deonte Brown
  • G J.D. DiRenzo
  • G Justin McCray
  • DL Raequan Williams
  • DL Taylor Stallworth
  • OLB Eku Leota
  • OLB Jordan Thomas
  • CB Mark Milton
  • CB Stantley Thomas-Oliver III
  • S Eric Rowe

With NFL teams allowed to carry 16 players per practice squad, the Panthers will have five more spots to fill in the upcoming days. So expect, especially after the extra cuts and maneuvering throughout the league on Wednesday, some more additions soon.

As for who those additions may be, Carolina could look to bring back the trio of players they just waived in quarterback Matt Corral, wide receiver Derek Wright and linebacker Chandler Wooten.

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Tracking the Panthers’ initial 2023 practice squad

Keep it here as the Panthers build their initial practice squad for the 2023 season:

Now that the Carolina Panthers have established their initial 53-man roster (and whatever tweaks that may come after it), it’s time to build the initial practice squad.

Keep it here as we track each addition to the group.

Biggest storylines for Panthers’ preseason finale vs. Lions

Will Panthers QB Bryce Young have more time to shine in Friday’s preseason finale?

Friday’s final dress rehearsal could mean the beginning of the show for some and curtains for others. And for general manager Scott Fitterer, head coach Frank Reich the Carolina Panthers, it’ll be the last chance to decide who of those players stay on their program heading into the fall.

Here are the top storylines for the all-important preseason finale:

4 most intriguing Panthers to watch in Friday’s preseason game vs. Giants

An increasingly interesting contender off the edge, OLB Eku Leota is one of four Panthers you should keep an eye on Friday night.

If you’re spending your Friday night watching preseason football, then you might as well watch it intently. So, which players are worth your attention?

Here are four Carolina Panthers to keep an eye on during Friday night’s clash with the New York Giants:

Colby Wooden selected 116th overall by Green Bay Packers

Wooden is the third Tiger to be taken in the 2023 NFL draft, and the first of day three.

Hello, Wisconsin!

The third Auburn Tiger to be taken in the 2023 NFL draft is defensive lineman [autotag]Colby Wooden[/autotag], who was taken in the 4th round of the draft by the Green Bay Packers, who took Wooden with the 116th overall pick.

Wooden is seen as a player that will help the Packers with rushing the passer, joining first-round pick Lukas Van Ness. Packers Wire’s Brennan Rupp feels that Wooden could be a versatile piece to the Packers’ defense.

Colby Wooden is going to help Green Bay’s pass rush. He’s on the lighter side (273) but played closer to 285 when he was at Auburn. He’s a moveable piece that Joe Barry could get creative with how he deploys him. Over the past two seasons, he’s recorded 76 pressures to go along with his 11 sacks.

Wooden joins [autotag]Derick Hall[/autotag] and [autotag]Tank Bigsby[/autotag] as Tigers who have been taken in the 2023 NFL draft to this point. Hall was taken in the second round by the Seattle Seahawks, and Bigsby closed day two of the draft by being taken in the third round by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Other Tigers that could hear their name called on day three of the NFL draft include [autotag]Owen Pappoe[/autotag] and [autotag]Eku Leota[/autotag].

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__

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Jacksonville Jaguars select Tank Bigsby with 88th overall pick

The next Tiger off the board is Tank Bigsby, who was selected by the Jaguars with its’ third-round pick.

Day two of the NFL draft was a big day for former Auburn Tigers, as two of its’ own have found new homes.

One round after EDGE [autotag]Derick Hall[/autotag] was selected by the Seattle Seahawks, running back [autotag]Tank Bigsby[/autotag] learned that he would be heading south as he was selected 88th overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Bigsby joins a talented offense in Jacksonville that includes wide receiver Calvin Ridley and tight end Evan Engram. He will play alongside Travis Etienne in the Jaguars’ backfield and will receive handoffs from quarterback Trevor Lawrence.  The Jaguars ended last season with a 9-8 record and made it to the AFC divisional round.

Day three of the NFL draft gets underway Saturday at 11 a.m. CT. Several names of note to watch for on Saturday include [autotag]Colby Wooden[/autotag], [autotag]Owen Pappoe[/autotag], and [autotag]Eku Leota[/autotag].

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__

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Derick Hall selected 37th overall by Seattle Seahawks

Hall becomes the first Tiger taken in the 2023 NFL draft.

Day two of the 2023 NFL draft is underway, and the first Auburn Tiger is officially off the board.

EDGE [autotag]Derick Hall[/autotag] becomes the first Tiger drafted in 2023, as he was selected 37th overall by the Seattle Seahawks.

Hall was the sixth pick on day two and has joined an already talented draft class for the Seahawks. In round one, Seattle selected Illinois CB Devin Witherspoon and Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Nate Davis and Jim Reineking of USA TODAY see Hall as a great fit for the Seahawks’ defense.

The ‘Hawks begin building out the depth of their D-line with a 6-3, 254-pounder who posted 19½ sacks and 29½ tackles for loss over the past three seasons. As a team captain with 4.5 speed he brings good tangible and intangible assets to the Emerald City.

Several other Tigers will now await to hear their name called. Players to watch in this year’s draft include [autotag]Tank Bigsby[/autotag], [autotag]Colby Wooden[/autotag], [autotag]Owen Pappoe[/autotag], and [autotag]Eku Leota[/autotag].

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__

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Broncos had a virtual pre-draft visit with OLB Eku Leota

The Broncos had a virtual pre-draft visit with pass rusher Eku Leota ahead of the NFL draft.

The Denver Broncos recently had a virtual pre-draft visit with Auburn pass rusher Eku Leota, according to The Draft Network’s Justin Melo.

Leota (6-3, 252 pounds) started his college career at Northwestern, totaling 25 tackles (10 behind the line) and 6.5 sacks in 15 games from 2019-2020. He then transferred to Auburn ahead of the 2021 season.

Leota recorded 23 tackles (10 behind the line) and seven sacks in his first season with the Tigers (12 games). He then started the 2022 season with 18 tackles (five behind the line) and two sacks through five games before suffering a season-ending pectoral injury.

Leota did not compete at the NFL combine while he was nursing a calf injury, but he has recovered from the pec injury he suffered in 2022.

Leota played mostly as a defensive lineman in college, but he would likely transition to outside linebacker if selected by a team that runs a 3-4 defense like Denver. He is projected to be a late-round pick or undrafted free agent prospect later this month.

The 2023 NFL draft will be held in Kansas City from April 27-29.

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15 late-round prospects Broncos could target in 2023 NFL draft

Here’s a quick look at 15 late-round prospects the Broncos could target in the 2023 NFL draft.

The Denver Broncos do not have first- or second-round picks to use in the 2023 NFL draft, so in order to have a great class (barring a trade up), general manager George Paton will have to find gems in the mid and late rounds of the draft.

The Broncos currently have five draft picks: Nos. 67 and 68 overall in the third round, No. 108 in the fourth, No. 139 in the fifth and No. 195 in the sixth. Denver does not currently hold a pick in the seventh round, but the club might acquire additional picks through draft-day trades.

Paton has made six trades through his first two drafts with the Broncos, trading down four times. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him trade down again this year to add more picks.

Today, we’re taking a quick look at 15 prospects that Denver could target in the fifth, sixth and seventh (late rounds) of the 2023 NFL draft.

Cardinals had virtual meeting with Auburn pass rusher Eku Leota

Arizona has eyes on Auburn’s Eku Leota.

Finding players who can produce and help a team late in the draft is one of the best way to build a successful roster. Later-round pass rushers are heard to find.

The Arizona Cardinals, who need pass rushing help, have their eyes on an intriguing prospect. They have met with Auburn pass rusher Eku Leota

In an interview with The Draft Network’s Justin Melo, Leoga mentioned having virtual meetings with several teams, including the Cadinals.

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Leoga played in only five games, suffering a torn pectoral However, he did have four sacks in those five games.

He is 6-3 and

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.