Panthers Re-Sign $87 Million Ex-Potential LB Player For 2024 Season On A Year Contract…
According to Mike Kaye, the Panthers agreed to terms with LB Tae Davis on a one-year extension on Friday.
Davis, 27, was signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent out of Chattanooga in 2018. He signed a three-year $1.71 million deal and was able to make the team’s final roster as a rookie.
The Giants later elected to waive Davis and he was claimed by the Browns. He primarily played on their special teams unit and was not tendered as a restricted free agent in 2021.
He signed with the Texans as an unrestricted free agent but was waived with an injury designation during camp. Davis had a brief stint with the Raiders in 2022 before joining the Browns later that year. He signed a one-year deal with the Falcons last year but was cut loose in November and caught on with the Panthers.
In 2023, Davis appeared in eight games for the Falcons and eight games for the Panthers, recording seven total tackles.
I used to just watch them on TV all the time and say I can’t wait till I get my opportunity to do that one day,” Clowney said, via Darin Gantt of the Panthers’ official team website. “Years ago, when I hit free agency, I told my agent not to reach out to Carolina because I wanted to mature more. And to get to this point where I know if I have to go back there, I can handle myself, and it won’t be a problem for me to do my job because I was still learning how to be a pro. So now I’m 31. I said I’m at the age now where I’m cool going back home; I can handle myself.”
Clowney, who played his collegiate football at the University of South Carolina, was originally selected by the Houston Texans with the No. 1 overall pick of the 2014 NFL Draft.
He spent the first five years of his career with the Texans but didn’t really break through until his third season when he registered 52 tackles and six sacks. He proceeded to make three straight trips to the Pro Bowl between 2016 and 2018, with his best campaign coming in 2017 when he racked up 59 tackles, 9.5 sacks, a couple of forced fumbles, a pair of fumble recoveries and a defensive touchdown.
Clowney is now on his fifth team since then, as he has also played for the Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns and Baltimore Ravens.
He spent the 2023 season with the Ravens, registering an impressive 43 tackles and 9.5 sacks.
The Panthers traded fellow edge rusher Brian Burns to the New York Giants earlier this month, so bringing in Clowney will certainly help their pass rush.
“It’s going crazy right now back in Rock Hill,” Clowney said. “All these Carolina fans down the road, and I grew up like 30 minutes from here, so it’s going to be crazy.”
We’ll see if Jadeveon Clowney has a little extra juice in front of his hometown fans next season.
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Panthers agree to terms with linebacker Tae Davis
CHARLOTTE — The Panthers added another key special teamer, bringing back linebacker Tae Davis.
The 27-year-old Davis joined the Panthers last November, providing depth they needed because of a rash of injuries at the position.
Davis entered the league with the Giants, latching on as an undrafted rookie out of Chattanooga. He has spent time with the Browns, Texans, Raiders, Browns again, and Falcons before signing with the Panthers.
He had five special teams tackles (third on the team) in eight games last year and has built a reputation as reliable in the kicking game. With recent changes to kickoff rules, having that area buttoned up will be critical.
There’s enough talent from North Carolina and South Carolina in the 2024 NFL Draft that the Carolina Panthers, in theory, could select only players from the Carolinas and still come away with a nice draft haul.
That’s obviously not the approach the Panthers will take in the draft, but it would still be fun to take a look at what Carolina’s draft haul could look like if they selected only players from North Carolina or South Carolina.
Here’s a quick look at how the draft could play out in that scenario.
Round 2, pick 33: Xavier Legette — WR — South Carolina (Mullins, SC)
This would be a great selection for the Panthers regardless of where Legette was born. Carolina needs playmakers for QB Bryce Young. And Legette, who racked up 1,255 receiving yard for the Gamecocks in 2023, fits the bill. The 6-foot-3 WR would give Young a go-to option for years to come.
Round 2, pick 39: Payton Wilson — LB — NC State (Hillsborough, NC)
Wilson is a three down linebacker who has the talent to start in the NFL. The only question is his durability (Wilson has dealt with knee and shoulder issues, but he played in 12 games last season for the Wolfpack). Carolina has some aging linebackers so it wouldn’t hurt to go ahead and address the position in the draft.
Round 3, pick 65: Devontez Walker — WR — North Carolina (Charlotte, NC)
Taking two WRs with their first three picks could be considered overkill, but why not stock up on exciting young WR talent? Plus, Walker would be a steal at this point in the third round. The Charlotte native is a touchdown machine and could be an ideal No. 3 option in the passing game from day one.
Round 4, pick 101: Jaylen Wright — RB — Tennessee (Durham, NC)
Wright looks like one of the most underrated players in the draft. The former Vol ran a 4.38 in the 40 yard dash at the draft combine and he had the longest broad jump of any running back. He’s also excellent in pass protection and he was a threat to score every time he touched the ball in college.
Round 5, pick 141: Will Shipley — RB — Clemson (Weddington, NC)
Running backs with back to back picks? Why not? Shipley is supposed to be a poor man’s Christian McCaffrey. And he could complement Wright’s home run speed with his abilities in the passing game and his ability to pick up tough yards after the catch.
Round 5, pick 142: Malik Mustapha — S — Wake Forest — (Charlotte, NC)
Another homecoming. Mustapha played college football just up the road in Winston Salem, so I’m sure he wouldn’t mind making the short drive down I-85 to return to Charlotte. Mustapha set a career high with 80 tackles last season, including 13 tackles against Syracuse in his final game with the Demon Deacons.
Round 7, pick 240: Xavier Thomas — DE — Clemson (Florence, SC)
The Panthers could certainly use some edge rusher help and Thomas wouldn’t be a bad selection in the final round of the draft. The South Carolina native is a former five-star recruit who has the talent to be a contributor in the NFL, he just needs to find consistency while staying healthy.