CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A look at five tryout players the Carolina Panthers may add to their roster today after a Friday-Saturday minicamp:
DE Rakim Cox (6-3, 260): The former Villanova player spent part of the 2014 offseason season with the Minnesota Vikings before being waived and picked up by Miami. The Dolphins released him at the end of training camp. He had nine sacks in 2013 at Villanova, and general manager Dave Gettleman always is looking for pass rushers. He also did well in pass coverage and on special teams while with the Wildcats.
TE Jamie Childers (6-5, 250): Played quarterback and tight end at Coastal Carolina. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with the St. Louis Rams in 2012, but was released prior to the season. He spent the 2013 offseason with the New York Giants, but was released at the end of training camp. He’s athletic and big, and made enough plays in the weekend minicamp to catch a few eyes.
OL Jordan McCray (6-3, 322): The Central Florida guard was signed by Green Bay as an undrafted free agent in 2014. He was released at the end of training camp, and then spent some time on the Packers’ practice squad. He was signed to the Minnesota practice squad before being released in March.
OL Ronald Patrick: (6-1, 310 ): A former guard at the University of South Carolina, where he was a two-year starter. He’s an athletic player who in 2014 was signed by Dallas as an undrafted free agent. He was released at the end of training camp and later signed to the Pittsburgh practice squad before being released.
FB: Lee Ward (6-1, 250): The former Stanford player is strong. He completed 35 repetitions – more than any other fullback -- of 225 pounds at the NFL combine. He comes from an offense similar to what Carolina does with the running game. The Panthers struggled last year when fullback Mike Tolbert missed eight games with an injury. Adding depth there might be the thought with Ward.
