While pulling off an unexpected move with the release of cornerback Brandon Boykin, the Carolina Panthers on Monday signed a flurry of players they had in for a tryout this past weekend. As expected.
Six guys did enough in rookie minicamp to warrant a longer look: RB Jalen Simmons (South Carolina State), WR Miles Shuler (Northwestern), TE Braxton Deaver (Duke), OT Jordan Rigsbee (California), LB Jared Barber (West Virginia) and CB Shaq Richardson.
You can read more about Shuler, Deaver, Rigsbee, Barber and Richardson here.
Like Deaver, Simmons is a Charlotte native who committed to Duke. But Simmons ended up at South Carolina State where he rushed for 2,626 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Besides the surprise Boykin move, the Panthers also cut safety Ras-I Dowling and undrafted wideout Jenson Stoshack. That puts the current roster at 88 players.
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— Shaq Richardson (@Dr4_unruly) May 16, 2016
Blessed to sign with the Panthers! Still have a lot of work to do! pic.twitter.com/4CjTUOIPtF
— Jared Barber (@jbarber33) May 16, 2016
This is what a dream looks like. A lot of work ahead but I could not be more excited and thankful for the opportunity to represent my city and all of my loved ones!!
A photo posted by Braxton Deaver (@b_the_deavo89) on
It is the business of fielding the best available player for your system.
Fun fact: Miles Shuler played at Long Branch High School in New Jersey. The program’s most famous alumni? Sam Mills. Shuler would have seen Mills’ #52 Panthers jersey on display in the gym every day. Must be a cool feeling for him. I hope he sticks.