Carolina Panthers: Can DaVonte Lambert secure a roster spot in 2020?
By Dean Jones
DaVonte Lambert gets another chance to make it in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers, but can the defensive end make the roster in 2020?
The Carolina Panthers made some more roster moves following the NFL Draft. This included bringing in defensive end DaVonte Lambert.
The player went undrafted out of Auburn before signing a short-term deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Lambert went on to play 11 times during his rookie campaign, securing a starting role on five occasions.
This resulted in 14 total tackles and one forced fumble. But things did not go according to plan for Lambert in 2017, where he spent the entire season on injured reserve with a dislocated wrist.
He was eventually waived in 2018 and has found opportunities hard to come by since. Lambert made his long-awaited return to the field in the XFL this spring with the St. Louis Battlehawks and now has a chance to make a roster once again in Carolina.
There was plenty to like about Lambert’s ability in college. He recorded 48 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and a forced fumble in 20 games for the Tigers.
While his career has not panned out as expected. This represents a significant opportunity for Lambert and one that he might not get again in the pros.
Much will depend on how the player performs during training camp, whenever that gets underway. If Lambert can catch the eye of head coach Matt Rhule and other staff, then a roster spot is not entirely out of the question.