After draft, three Panthers get a shot with NFL teams

By: Dalton Tevlin/Sports Director

Three Panthers are headed to the league this summer.

Punter Stone Wilson, Wide Receiver CJ Worton and Defensive Lineman Anthony Johnson will all be fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster. Stone Wilson is staying in Miami after getting invited to the Miami Dolphins rookie minicamp. Worton will be heading north to join the Atlanta Falcons and Johnson has also been invited to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie minicamp.

Wilson and Johnson will have the chance to make the roster during their rookie minicamps starting early May. In minicamps, undrafted college players get to work out with NFL teams with the hope of being signed to the final 53-man roster. Worton’s roster spot is secured while he waits for organized team activities to in late June.

Wilson, one of the best punters in FIU history, ended his career as the all-time leader in punts and punt yards. Wilson has competition ahead of him in Miami as 3rd-year punter Matt Haack has done well in his first 2 seasons and looks to keep improving.

Regardless, if this opportunity with the Dolphins doesn’t work out Wilson has shown the skills that a professional team looks for.

Worton will be joining one of the most exciting offenses in the NFL. His blazing speed and impressive route running could make him a dangerous 4th or 5th option for Falcon Quarterback Matt Ryan. During his FIU pro-day, Worton ran a 4.37 40-yard dash, only .04 seconds off the fastest wide receiver at the NFL combine, Ohio State’s Parris Campbell.

Worton was one of FIU’s go-to options in the passing attack last season after transferring from the University of Florida where he did not play many snaps.

With Atlanta’s trio of Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Mohamed Sanu, there is room for Worton to take over the fourth receiver spot on the depth chart over 2nd-year receiver Russel Gage.

Both Wilson and Johnson have their work cut out for them standing out among the other rookies, but Wilson will have plenty of opportunities to get snaps in Miami, while Johnson will have more competition on the defensive line.

Johnson, before the draft, said to PantherNow he is happy for any professional opportunity that comes his way. While he had no preference in terms of team, he said he would thrive in a defense with a 3-4 defensive scheme. The Buccaneers have made a lot of offseason changes to their defense including transitioning to a 3-4 defense.

Johnson finished the 2018 season with 40 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, and seven quarterback hits, garnering Conference USA Honorable Mention team honors in the process. Johnson struggled his first three years at FIU, playing for four defensive line coaches. It wasn’t until Davis came to the program that Johnson found stability with his coaches, something the Buccaneers have struggled with since their Superbowl win in 2003.