The Carolina Panthers came into their rookie minicamp with five open roster spots. They may not fill all five with players who tried out the past two days, but according to team sources, these guys impressed:
TE Braxton Deaver (Duke):
Had a chance to go to other teams' camps last weekend, but wanted to focus on his chance with the hometown team. The Providence High product shined, snagging every catchable ball thrown his way in all three practices. Deaver, who tore both his ACLs during his six years in Durham, also has great size at 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds.
G Eric Mac Lain (Clemson):
Former high school tight end gained 65 pounds en route to developing into an All-ACC First Team talent. The Panthers were high on the 6-foot-4, 315-pounder coming into the weekend and he didn't disappoint.
OT Jordan Rigsbee (California):
Has the versatility the Panthers covet in their offensive linemen. Rigsbee made 49 starts at four different positions for Cal, starting 16 games at left guard, 13 at right guard, 12 at right tackle and eight at center.
LB Jared Barber (West Virginia):
Tried out for the Steelers last weekend, but wasn't signed. Barber nearly had to give up football when he developed a MRSA infection shortly after he tore his ACL in 2013. He finally returned to the field last year making 57 tackles and 2.5 sacks for the Mountaineers.
LB Desmond Morgan (Michigan):
Like Barber, is listed at 6 feet, 230 pounds. Started three seasons and totaled 300 tackles with the Wolverines.
CB Shaq Richardson (Arizona):
A fifth-round pick of the Steelers in 2014, Richardson is still looking for a home after stops in Kansas City, Arizona and Tennessee. Was dismissed from UCLA in 2010 after he and two other Bruins' players were arrested on suspicion of stealing a purse, so if the Panthers bring him back, they'll have to be comfortable that incident's well in his past.
WR Miles Shuler (Northwestern):
At 5-foot-10, 180 pounds, the little guy can fly. He ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day, and while he had a problem with drops in college, he performed well enough this weekend to at least be in the conversation for a call back.