Panthers waive tight end to make room for defensive end Jalen Jelks

The Panthers have waived former Chargers tight end Andrew Vollert to make room for former Cowboys defensive end Jalen Jelks.

The Panthers have waived former Chargers tight end Andrew Vollert to make room for former Cowboys defensive end Jalen Jelks, who they picked up off waivers a few days ago. Now that he has passed his physical and the COVID-19 protocols, he’s free to join his teammates at training camp. Jelks is currently on the field wearing No. 73.

Vollert had a viral moment last week when he had a colorful reaction to being cut on Hard Knocks. The next NFL team he signs with will be his fourth in less than a year and a half.

As for Jelks, he offers another option on the edge, a spot that lost some depth when 2019 fourth-round pick Christian Miller decided to take the high-risk opt-out for this season.

Dallas waived Jelks to make room for Everson Griffen. The previous regime thought highly enough of him to put Jelks on “injured reserve” for his entire rookie season. Mike McCarthy has replaced Jason Garrett and overseen a dramatic restructure of their defensive line, leaving Jelks out of the picture.

In Carolina, he will battle for a roster spot at the bottom of the depth chart against undrafted rookie Myles Adams and veteran Davonte Lambert.

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Panthers agree to terms with 5 linebackers, 17 total undrafted free agents

The Carolina Panthers announced today they have agreed to terms with 17 college free agents following the end of the 2020 NFL draft.

The Panthers announced today they have agreed to terms with 17 college free agents following the end of the 2020 NFL draft, including five linebackers and four offensive linemen.

Here is a review of who’s joining the team, per the official website.

Minnesota RB Rodney Smith
Arkansas State WR Omar Bayless
TCU WR TreVontae Hights
Western Michigan TE Giovanni Ricci
Fresno State TE Cameron Sutton
Baylor OL Sam Tecklenburg
Auburn G Mike Horton
Ohio State OL Branden Bowen
Washington State C Fred Mauigoa
Ole Miss DT Austrian Robinson
Rice DE Myles Adams
Wisconsin LB Chris Orr
Florida LB David Reese
Virginia LB Jordan Mack
Montana Western LB Jason Ferris
Temple LB Sam Franklin
Ole Miss DB Myles Hartfield

It was a little odd that the team passed on taking any linebackers this year given the the all-defense draft class. However, this large group of them should help fill out the depth chart. A couple of them could make the roster.

The same applies for the offensive line – another area of need that went unaddressed during the draft. Horton in particular has a decent chance to make the roster if he can impress at left guard.

The most interesting skill player in this group might be Bayless (6-foot-3, 207 pounds), who put up outstanding numbers last season, totaling 93 catches, 1,653 yards and 17 touchdowns. Carolina is loaded at wide receiver though, so it won’t be easy for him to make the final 53.

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