The Carolina Panthers added undrafted LSU defensive end Patrick Payton to their rookie minicamp on Friday, May 8, 2026, at the practice fields near Bank of America Stadium. Payton, a redshirt senior who posted 17 sacks and 36.5 tackles for loss at LSU, earned the invite as the Panthers hunt for raw pass‑rush talent.
Coach Dave Canales said the camp will give him a second look at prospects who slipped through the draft, and Payton answered that “God sometimes puts you in a situation to test you to see if you really want it”. The numbers reveal that the Panthers have added three undrafted edge players since 2022, a clear pattern of low‑cost roster building.
What the minicamp means for the Carolina Panthers’ defense
Carolina entered the 2025 season with a defensive line that ranked 23rd in sacks, a glaring weakness that front‑office brass hope to fix without splurging on free agents. The rookie minicamp offers a low‑cost audition where raw speed can be measured against seasoned veterans. If Payton shows the burst he displayed at LSU, the Panthers could secure a cheap, high‑upside backup for the upcoming season. The invite was extended to test his adaptability in both pass‑rush and run‑stop scenarios, a dual‑role test that could earn him a spot on the 90‑man roster.
The Panthers’ pass rush struggled significantly in 2025, generating only 31 sacks across 17 games – a figure that placed them among the bottom third of the league. This marked a concerning trend for a franchise that had historically built its identity around defensive pressure. Former first‑round pick Brian Burns, acquired via trade from the Carolina Panthers’ divisional rivals in 2023, provides the cornerstone talent, but the supporting cast has failed to consistently complement his production. The Panthers’ 2025 sack total represented a 15‑sack drop from their 2022 campaign, when they managed 46 quarterback takedowns en route to a playoff berth.
General manager Dan Morgan has adopted a patient approach to rebuilding the defensive front, prioritizing draft capital and low‑cost free agency over expensive long‑term contracts. The strategy mirrors a league‑wide trend toward roster flexibility, as teams increasingly seek to avoid cap constraints that can hamstring future decision‑making. By targeting undrafted prospects with high‑ceiling potential, the Panthers can take calculated risks without sacrificing financial stability.
Coach Dave Canales’ vision for edge talent
Dave Canales, who took over as head coach in 2024, has emphasized a “speed‑first” philosophy on the front seven. He believes that cultivating a pipeline of under‑the‑radar pass rushers will keep the payroll lean while maintaining pressure on opposing quarterbacks. During the minicamp, Canales will run Payton through a 3‑technique drill to gauge interior burst, a drill that has helped develop other Panthers stand‑outs like Brian Burns. The coach’s approach is to blend raw athleticism with disciplined technique, hoping to turn raw college production into NFL‑ready pressure.
Canales inherited a Panthers team coming off a 7‑10 campaign in 2023, his first season representing a moderate improvement to 9‑8. The offensive‑minded coach has expressed particular interest in revitalizing a defense that once defined the Panthers’ identity during their Super Bowl 50 run in 2015. His “speed‑first” philosophy draws from his time as the Seattle Seahawks’ quarterbacks coach, where he witnessed firsthand how defensive pressure can flip field position and game momentum.
The 3‑technique drill, a staple of modern NFL defensive line development, tests a player’s ability to penetrate the A‑gap between the center and guard. For edge rushers like Payton, the drill translates to developing an initial burst that can beat tackles off the snap. Canales has credited the drill with accelerating Brian Burns’ development, noting that the Georgia product’s first‑step quickness improved dramatically after dedicated repetitions in the technique.
Key details from Payton’s invite
Payton logged 17.0 sacks and 36.5 tackles for loss during his LSU career, a production level that typically earns late‑round draft interest. He described his college role as a “run‑around‑the‑tackle type of guy” at Florida State before transferring to LSU, highlighting his versatility. The Panthers plan to evaluate him in both pass‑rush and run‑stop scenarios, a dual‑role test that could earn him a spot on the 90‑man roster. Defensive line coach Brady Hoke will oversee the drill, looking for the quick first step that separates a good edge rusher from a great one.
Payton’s journey to LSU represents a classic underdog narrative. After beginning his collegiate career at Florida State in 2021, he appeared in 12 games with limited production before entering the transfer portal. His decision to join LSU for the 2023 season proved transformative, as he recorded 8.5 sacks in his first year with the Tigers’ defense. The 2024 campaign saw him add another 6.0 sacks before a mid‑season injury curtailed his final college season to 11 games.
At 6‑4 and 250 pounds, Payton possesses the length and fluidity that NFL scouts covet in edge rushers. His 36.5 career tackles for loss demonstrate a consistent ability to disrupt plays in the backfield, a trait that translates directly to professional success. The Panthers‘ coaching staff will particularly focus on his hand usage and bend around the corner – two technical elements that often separate productive college pass rushers from those who struggle at the next level.
Brady Hoke, entering his second season as the Panthers’ defensive line coach, brings a proven track record of developing raw talent. Hoke’s coaching career spans three decades, including previous stops with the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers. His emphasis on pad level and leverage has helped transform several undrafted prospects into rotational contributors.
Impact and what’s next for the Carolina Panthers
If Payton impresses, he could earn a contract and compete for a backup edge‑rusher role, giving the Panthers a cheaper alternative to high‑priced free agents. Even if released, his presence pushes existing players to elevate performance during training camp, a subtle but valuable competitive spark. The Panthers plan to finalize their 90‑man roster by late August, and Payton’s performance will be a factor in those decisions. According to ESPN, the Panthers have signed eight undrafted free agents since the 2025 draft, the most of any NFC South team, underscoring a strategy that leans heavily on hidden talent.
The Panthers’ aggressive pursuit of undrafted talent reflects a broader organizational philosophy under Morgan and Canales. By accumulating depth through rookie minicamps and post‑draft free agency, the team creates competitive environments where established players must perform to maintain roster spots. This approach has yielded mixed results across the league – some undrafted players like Super Bowl champion Chris Harris Jr. have carved out decade‑long careers, while others wash out within training camp.
Historical data suggests undrafted edge rushers with double‑digit college sack totals face approximately a 12% chance of making a 53‑man roster, according to league-wide analysis. However, those who do earn spots often develop into valuable rotational pieces. The Panthers’ recent success with similar projects remains limited, though the organization believes Canales’ development system offers improved odds.
The NFC South division presents both challenges and opportunities for the Panthers’ pass rush. Division rivals Tampa Bay, New Orleans, and Atlanta all feature mobile quarterbacks capable of extending plays, making edge pressure essential. The Panthers’ 2025 sack total of 31 ranked below each of their divisional opponents, a disparity that contributed to a 2‑4 record within the division.
Payton will have approximately three months to prove himself worthy of a roster spot, with the Panthers’ organized team activities beginning in June and training camp opening in late July. His performance in individual drills, team sessions, and preseason games will determine whether he joins the 53‑man roster or lands on the practice squad.
What are the chances Patrick Payton makes the Panthers roster?
Historical data shows undrafted players with double‑digit college sacks have roughly a 12% chance of making a 53‑man roster, giving Payton a realistic, though challenging, path.
How many undrafted free agents did the Panthers sign in 2025?
Carolina signed eight undrafted free agents after the 2025 draft, the most of any NFC South team, reflecting a strategy of building depth through low‑cost talent.
Who else attended the Panthers’ rookie minicamp?
The minicamp also featured wide receiver Jalen Hinton, a 2025 seventh‑round pick, and defensive back Malik Turner, a former junior college standout, both invited on a tryout basis.
