Carolina Panthers pick up Damiere Byrd, 9 other undrafted free agents
As the dust continues to clear after this year’s NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers made moves to add new young talent to the roster.
The team announced that it had signed ten undrafted free agents, including former players at Clemson and South Carolina.
Damiere Byrd will be a familiar name to some, as he is a small, speedy receiver with a track background. The former Gamecock had over 1,200 career receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, three of which came last season. He ran a 4.28 in the 40-yard dash at the team’s pro day, which was held on grass.
The Panthers also signed former Clemson cornerback Garry Peters, adding more depth to the young secondary. Though initially rated as one of the top cornerbacks in the draft, a disappointing combine saw his stock plummet. In his time with the Tigers, he had over 100 tackles and two interceptions while also being selected first-team All-ACC by the coaches of the league.
Nov 6, 2014; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons wide receiver Matt James (2) tries to catch a pass while Clemson Tigers cornerback Garry Peters (26) defends during the third quarter at BB&T Field. Clemson defeated Wake Forest 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Carolina added to the secondary with former James Madison safety Dean Marlowe, who was a two-time All-CAA selection, and continued to stock up on defense with former Florida defensive end Darious Cummings, former Ohio State defensive end Steve Miller, former Utah linebacker Brian Blechen and former Memphis defensive end Terry Redden in addition to first-round selection Shaq Thompson.
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The Panthers also signed Brandon Wegher, a former Iowa Hawkeye who ended up at NAIA school Morningside after leaving Iowa for personal reasons, and then being ruled academically ineligible at several other schools. He also has a noted history of run-ins with the law, but has since changed his tune according to a story from the Des Moines Register.
During his time at Morningside, he set a NAIA single-season rushing record with 2,610 yards while also becoming the school’s all-time leading rusher.
What do you think readers? Did Carolina find a good deal in the aftermath of the draft?