Panthers Add Potential Secondary Sleeper in Unexpected Waiver Surprise
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Just when it seemed like the Carolina Panthers were done tinkering with their defensive backfield, new GM Dan Morgan pulled a quiet but intriguing move that has the potential to pay off big—if it clicks.
While the Panthers walked away from the 2025 NFL Draft without selecting a cornerback, they did bolster the position by scooping up several undrafted free agents. Still, with uncertainty looming around depth and experience, Morgan wasn’t done searching for solutions. And now, he may have found a hidden gem.
According to The Athletic’s Joe Person, the Panthers have claimed cornerback M.J. Devonshire off waivers from the Las Vegas Raiders—a move that caught many by surprise. Devonshire, a 2023 seventh-round pick, never quite secured a permanent spot in Las Vegas, despite moments of promise. The Raiders recently released him after finalizing their post-draft roster, opening the door for Carolina to pounce.
It’s a low-risk, high-reward gamble.
Devonshire brings with him a track record of playmaking from his college days at Pittsburgh. Over his final two seasons, he racked up seven interceptions, returning three of them for touchdowns—a level of ball-hawking ability the Panthers’ secondary sorely lacked in 2024. That kind of instinct and explosiveness is exactly what Carolina hopes to unlock.
The Panthers’ current depth chart features Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson
Sr. as starters, with Chau Smith-Wade likely handling slot duties. Beyond them? A lot of question marks. Akayleb Evans, Shemar Bartholomew, and a batch of rookies will be competing for backup roles. Devonshire enters a wide-open battle—and his odds may be better than they appear.
Las Vegas may not have been the right fit, but Devonshire now has a fresh start. And with Carolina’s roster built on competition, there’s room for him to prove he belongs. If he can shine in OTAs and training camp, he could stick—and maybe even carve out a rotational role.
This isn’t just a flyer. It’s a chance for both the player and the franchise to find unexpected value. Dan Morgan’s quiet claim may not have made headlines—but by season’s end, it could turn out to be one of his savviest offseason moves yet