Panthers: LB Chris Frey could be valuable pickup

The Carolina signed the former Michigan State product as an undrafted free agent, and it could pay dividends…

The NFL Draft may have concluded, but that did not stop the Carolina Panthers from making moves. Sunday. They signed several undrafted free agents, bolstering their depth and adding additional talent.

One of the undrafted free agents they signed was Michigan State linebacker Chris Frey. Measuring in at 6-foot-3, 188 pounds, Frey played four seasons for the Spartans from 2014-17. He made an impact as soon as he stepped on the field, recording 19 total tackles in his first year to go along with 2.5 sacks.

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After playing in all 13 games in his sophomore year of 2015, Frey’s breakout season came in his junior campaign. Playing in all 13 games, he recorded 96 tackles and his 56 assisted tackles tanked No. 5 in the Big Ten. Recording 30 tackles in his senior season, it was clear Frey had the talent to play in the National Football League should a team come calling.

The Carolina Panthers did just that. Frey announced late Saturday night via his Instagram that he signed with the team.

This is a tremendous signing for the Panthers. It adds depth to the linebacker position and this is one of those situations where this is a low-risk, high-reward type of signing. Especially given the fact that the Panthers already possess talent at the position, adding depth like this is a tremendous move. Combine this with the realizations that Luke Kuechly has already suffered many concussions and Thomas Davis is retiring, and this move was not only great but necessary.

Frey is the type of player that has a nose for the football and is not afraid to get in the dirty areas. He should fit well in Erik Washington’s system given the fact the latter runs his defense based on where his players fit. The draft is about building for now and the future and the Panthers continued to do that with this signing.

Next: Panthers: Roster needs addressed via undrafted signees

This has the potential to be an underrated pickup for the team and one that could benefit them greatly in the long run.