Panthers continue to sign intriguing, big-school UDFA prospects, adding Georgia DB JaCorey Thomas, FSU/LSU edge Patrick Payton
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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.
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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.
Before moving on to LSU for 2025 as the No. 1 defensive end in the transfer portal, the 6-5, 260-pounder spent three seasons with Florida State. He finished his college career with 143 tackles and 17 sacks.
2026 Panthers UDFA Signings
Here is an alphabetical listing of undrafted free agents signed by the NFL's Carolina Panthers:
Player, Position, College team
- Jaylin Guilbreau, CB, Texas
- Isaia Glass, OL, Vanderbilt
- Aaron Hall, DT, Duke
- Cam Miller, CB, Rutgers
- Malick Meiga, WR, Coastal Carolina
- Haynes King, QB, Georgia Tech
- Patrick Payton, ED, LSU
- Parker Peterson, DT, Wisconsin
- Kobe Prentice, WR, Baylor
- Albert Reese IV, OT, Mississippi State
- DeVonta Smith, CB, Notre Dame
- Isaiah Smith, ED, SMU
- JaCorey Thomas, DB, Georgia