Panthers continue to sign intriguing, big-school UDFA prospects, adding Georgia DB JaCorey Thomas, FSU/LSU edge Patrick Payton
Carolina general manager Dan Morgan continues to "challenge" the NFL team's offseason roster.
Panthers continue to sign intriguing, big-school UDFA prospects, adding Georgia DB JaCorey Thomas, FSU/LSU edge Patrick Payton originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . General manager Dan Morgan continues to "challenge" the Carolina Panthers ' offseason roster.
In the fallout of last week's 2026 NFL Draft, Morgan tackled the undrafted free agent market, signing intriguing, big-school prospects. The headliner came moments after the Pittsburgh showcase closed last Saturday night when Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King inked a $250,000 guarenteed deal . Morgan's work remains incomplete.
Leading up to the start of the rookie minicamp on May 8, the Panthers' third-year executive added two SEC competitors, Georgia defensive back JaCorey Thomas and LSU edge Patrick Payton. Both defenders could challenge for a roster spot during training camp. Panthers sign UDFA prospects Corey Thomas, Patrick Payton Listed at 6-foot-0, 205 pounds , Thomas broke out with a career-best effort in the 2025 SEC Championship Game, collecting six tackles and his first career sack.
He finished his career with 63 tackles. Payton could prove to be a sleeper pickup. After not addressing the edge position during the draft, Morgan invited the 2022 ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year award recipient to the three-day rookie minicamp at Bank of America Stadium's practice fields.