Carolina Panthers added CB depth after Rashaan Melvin’s retirement
With Jaycee Horn on the active-physically unable to perform list and Rashaan Melvin retiring before training camp, the Carolina Panthers were keen to bolster their options at cornerback. Something that saw a number of hopefuls work out with the team after their third practice session.
The Panthers liked what they saw from Duke Dawson enough to sign the former second-round selection to a deal. His time in the league has not gone according to plan so far and it remains to be seen just how much of an impact he’ll make in a relatively short space of time.
This looks like a camp body and not much else, in all honesty. Dawson came into the NFL as a highly-touted prospect out of Florida, but hasn’t lived up to expectations and missed the entire season last time around through injury.
Dawson was a former teammate of C.J. Henderson’s on the Gators, so the transition should be smooth in that regard. However, the chances of him winning a roster spot appear bleak when one considers how much young talent Carolina has at its disposal within the secondary.
Adding competition is always important. And Dawson’s presence gives them another veteran to call upon when required in practice, even though it might not amount to anything else.