CHARLOTTE – The Panthers have signed free agent wide receiver Jarrett Boykin to a one-year contract.
Boykin, who starred at Butler High School in Charlotte and then at Virginia Tech, spent the first three years of his career with the Green Bay Packers after joining the team as an undrafted free agent.
"It means a lot being from the area and having the opportunity to come back and get a chance to play for the Panthers," Boykin said. "But at the end of the day, it still boils down to how I go about my business on the field. I have to prove myself all over again."
After posting five catches for 27 yards as a rookie, Boykin had a breakthrough season in 2013. He played in all 16 games with 10 starts, recording 49 catches, 681 yards and three touchdowns.
The 6-foot-2, 218-pound wide receiver wasn't able to replicate that production in 2014. Davante Adams, Green Bay's second-round draft choice in the 2014 draft, emerged as the Packers' third wide receiver. Boykin played in 13 games with three starts, recording three catches for 23 yards in addition to making contributions on all four phases of special teams. He missed three games with a groin injury.
"I'm grateful for the opportunity the Panthers are giving me. I'm going to come in here and bust my tail," Boykin said. "I'm trying to re-establish my identity and get back to being the player I know I can be."
TACKLE CLAIMED: The Panthers claimed offensive tackle Jonathan Martin off waivers from the San Francisco 49ers.
Martin has started 32 of 38 games played in three seasons with the Miami Dolphins (2012-13) and San Francisco 49ers (2014), seeing action at left and right tackle. In 2014, Martin played in 15 games with nine starts at right tackle for San Francisco.
"Our goal is to build the strongest roster possible and add competition at every position," general manager Dave Gettleman said. "Jonathan brings quality experience to our offensive line, having started 32 games in his career at both tackle spots."
