Haynes King and 4 Other UDFAs Giving Panthers Tough Decisions

To put it kindly, a UDFA in the NFL is lucky if they simply make the roster. Carolina Panthers star Jalen Coker is one of the best possible outcomes for an undrafted player, because the vast majority of the time, they are barely rostered.

The Panthers, however, have made use of undrafted players recently, and they are poised to bring some onto the final 53-man roster this year. Haynes King has obviously made headlines, but there are four others who could join him for Week 1.

Haynes King

It all comes down to this weekend, but if Haynes King plays and plays like he did in the Hall of Fame Game, then the Panthers have a tough decision. Do they risk putting a clearly very talented player on the practice squad or do they use one of the few roster spots they have available on a third quarterback? Do they possibly cut Kenny Pickett? All options are on the table.

Albert Reese IV

With Taylor Moton and Ikem Ekwonu out for the foreseeable future, the Panthers are dreadfully thin at tackle. Fortunately, they have Rasheed Walker and Monroe Freeling, but the depth is not there. However, Albert Reese IV is making a push to snag a roster spot after posting a team-high offensive PFF grade against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Aaron Hall

Aaron Hall has had an up-and-down preseason/training camp, but the perilous depth on the defensive line gives him some leeway. The former Duke lineman is very talented and extremely athletic, but he'll need to continue putting it together to make the roster over some other deserving players.

DeVonta Smith

The Panthers don't have a ton of cornerback depth, and DeVonta Smith could be forcing the issue. While the secondary as a whole has looked out of sorts this preseason, some individual players have done well, and Smith played well against the Jaguars, making a wonderful play to force a fumble that Cam Gill recovered.

Ja'seem Reed*

Ja'seem Reed is not technically a UDFA anymore, but he was a UDFA last year with the Cleveland Browns until he got hurt, so he's still an undrafted player seeking his first NFL roster spot. And he's making the Panthers' wide receiver choice very difficult. He didn't play last week against the Jags, but he has been pretty great in other preseason action, looking like a potential steal at the back end of the depth chart.

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