Panthers sign 13 undrafted rookies, including Cam Peoples, Eku Leota

After selecting five players in the NFL Draft, the Panthers turned to undrafted free agents to fill out their roster on Saturday.

Following the draft, the Panthers had 20 open spots on their roster. A few hours later, the team announced contract agreements with 13 undrafted rookies, cutting the open spots down to seven.

According to the team, the undrafted rookies won’t officially be signed until rookie minicamp begins on May 12 and they pass their physicals.

Below are the undrafted rookies who have agreed to terms with the Panthers:

Jalen Redmond, DE, Oklahoma

Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 291 lbs

Stats: 71 tackles (31.5 for loss), 14 sacks and six pass breakups (five seasons)

Redmond, a highly productive college interior defensive linemen, should be able to compete for a 4i/5-technique spot in the trenches. The Panthers aren’t super crowded at the 3-4 defensive end spot, so Redmond has a shot at preseason playing time.

Eku Leota, LB, Auburn

Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 252 lbs

Stats: 66 tackles (25 for loss), 15.5 sacks and three forced fumbles (five seasons)

Leota will compete for a role as an EDGE rusher. Like third-round pick DJ Johnson, Leota is ideally fit to play on the strong side of the defense. The Asheville native, like Redmond, has a legit shot at playing time.

Austin Ajiake, LB, UNLV

Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 223 lbs

Stats: 231 tackles (12 for loss) and four sacks (five seasons)

Ajiake will fit into the inside linebacker position. With the Panthers passing on the position in the draft, Ajiake was smart to latch on in Carolina as an undrafted rookie.

Bumper Pool, LB, Arkansas

Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 235 lbs

Stats: 441 tackles (27.5 for loss), three sacks and 19 pass breakups (five seasons)

Like Ajiake, Pool is an older rookie who had a very productive college career. Pool likely fell out of the draft due to a hip injury he dealt with last season. He underwent hip surgery last November, according to the Arkansas Democrat Gazette.

Cam Peoples, RB, Appalachian State

Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 217 lbs

Stats: 455 carries for 2,830 rushing yards (6.2 YPC) and 33 touchdowns; 11 catches for 77 yards (five seasons)

Peoples was an extremely productive north-to-south runner at App State. While it was surprising to see him fall out of the draft, he couldn’t have picked a better spot than Carolina to land. Peoples fits the power back mold, which is a playing style that wasn’t featured on the roster before this weekend.

Rejzohn Wright, CB, Oregon State

Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 193 lbs

Stats: 91 tackles (2.5 for loss), a sack and four interceptions (three seasons)

Wright, a ball-hawking cornerback, will try to earn his way into a crowded secondary. While the Panthers didn’t select a cornerback in the draft, the position still has quite a bit of young talent already on the depth chart.

Nash Jensen, G, North Dakota State

Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 328 lbs

Stats: 70 career games (five seasons)

Jensen will need to overcome a packed house at guard to earn a roster spot. The Panthers just spent a fourth-round pick on NC State’s Chandler Zavala.

Colby Richardson, CB, LSU

Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 190 lbs

Stats: 69 tackles, three interceptions and three forced fumbles (five seasons)

Like Wright, Richardson will need to prove himself on defense and special teams to earn a roster spot. Richardson’s main competition will be Wright and Keith Taylor Jr.

Travez Moore, OLB, Arizona State

Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 245 lbs

Stats: 35 tackles (seven for loss) and three sacks (five seasons)

Moore will probably join Leota in the quest to earn a roster spot at EDGE rusher. Moore and Leota will be competing against the likes of Yetur Gross-Matos, Amare Barno and Kobe Jones for a job.

Mark Milton, CB, Baylor

Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 185 lbs

Stats: 96 tackles (three for loss), eight pass breakups and an interception (four seasons)

Milton is another corner looking to prove himself onto the roster. The Panthers have a lot of young talent at the position, but outside of Jaycee Horn, CJ Henderson and Donte Jackson, no one else is locked into a roster spot.

Nico Boldin, S, Kent State

Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 213 lbs

Stats: 188 tackles (3.5 for loss), five pass breakups and two interceptions

The Panthers are stacked with safety depth, especially after adding fifth-round pick Jammie Robinson. Boldin will need to stick out early in the offseason to stick around.

Josh Vann, WR, South Carolina

Ht/Wt: 5’10”, 190 lbs

Stats: 108 catches for 1,352 yards and 10 touchdowns (five seasons)

Vann is now the third South Carolina alum on the Panthers’ wide receiver depth chart. He will need to compete with fellow Gamecocks, Damiere Byrd and Shi Smith, to earn a roster spot.

Ricky Lee, OT, North Carolina A&T

Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 305 lbs

Stats: 34 starts prior to 2022 season

The Panthers are light on offensive tackle depth, so Lee should get immediate reps at the position. With excellent size, Lee is set up to put his best foot forward during his rookie offseason.

Panthers draft picks

First round (1st overall): Bryce Young, QB, Alabama

Second round (39th overall): Jonathan Mingo, WR, Ole Miss

Third round (80th overall via PIT): DJ Johnson, EDGE, Oregon

Fourth round (114th overall): Chandler Zavala, G, NC State

Fifth round (145th overall): Jammie Robinson, DB, Florida State