Rashaan Melvin comes to Carolina eight seasons after entering the league in 2013. Read more about the cornerback below:
Well-traveled
Melvin entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent with Tampa Bay in 2013 out of Northern Illinois.
From that time, he has been on active, off-season or practice squad rosters for the Buccaneers, Dolphins, Ravens, Patriots, Colts, Raiders, Lions, and Jaguars.
Last season, Melvin opted out of playing with Jacksonville due to COVID-19.
Standing out in Indy
Melvin's best season arguably came in 2017 in Indianapolis. He had three interceptions and 13 passes defended while making 36 tackles. He allowed an opposing passer rating of 60.3, ranking 11th among cornerbacks in the NFL that season, according to PFF.
In 2019 in Detroit, he had a career-high 12 starts with a career-best 68 tackles and 11 pass deflections.
Veteran leadership
At age 31, Melvin will be the oldest defensive player in the Panthers locker room.
He will be able to provide valuable experience and leadership to a young secondary group.
Northern Illinois pride
Melvin is the longest-tenured cornerback to ever come out of Northern Illinois, but he's far from the school's only notable product. Skill players Michael Turner and Justin McCareins come to mind while defensive tackle Hollis Thomas played 13 seasons with the Eagles and Saints, before finishing up with the Panthers in 2009.
View photos of Rashaan Melvin's career in the NFL which includes stops in Detroit, Oakland, Indianapolis, Baltimore and Tampa Bay.
Detroit Lions defensive back Rashaan Melvin (29) sets into position during a NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, November 10, 2019 in Chicago. The Bears won the game 20-13. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Baltimore Ravens defensive back Rashaan Melvin (38) plays coverage during an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans, Sunday Dec. 21, 2014, in Houston, TX. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
Baltimore Ravens defensive back Rashaan Melvin (38) reacts after a play during an NFL football game between the Baltimore Ravens and the Houston Texans, Sunday Dec. 21, 2014, in Houston, TX. (AP Photo/Tom Hauck)
Indianapolis Colts defensive back Rashaan Melvin gets set on defense prior to a play in action against the Pittsburgh Steelers during a NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Indianapolis. The Steelers won, 20-17. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Houston Texans running back D'Onta Foreman (27) carries the ball as Indianapolis Colts defensive back Rashaan Melvin (30) makes the tackle during a regular season Week 9 NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans on Sunday November 5, 2017 in Houston. The Colts beat the Texans 20-14 (Matt Patterson via AP)
Indianapolis Colts defensive back Rashaan Melvin (30) looks up from the sideline with his hemet off during a NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, December 11, 2016 in Indianapolis. The Texans won the game 22-17. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Oakland Raiders defensive back Rashaan Melvin (22) stands on the field prior to an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, Sept. 30, 2018 in Oakland, Calif. Oakland won 45-42 in overtime. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham (88) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts cornerback Rashaan Melvin (30) during an NFL game between the Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts, Sunday October 1, 2017, in Seattle. (Tom Hauck via AP)
Oakland Raiders cornerback Rashaan Melvin (22) tackles Kansas City Chiefs running back Damien Williams (26) during an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 in Oakland, Calif. Kansas City won 40-33. (Peter Read Miller via AP)
Oakland Raiders defensive end Rashaan Melvin (22) looks up from the sideline with his helmet off during a NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018 in Oakland, Calif. The Chiefs won the game 40-33. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Oakland Raiders defensive back Rashaan Melvin gets set on defense in action against the Kansas City Chiefs during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Kansas City, Mo. The Chiefs won, 35-3. (G. Newman Lowrance via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Rashaan Melvin (29) during an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2019, in Denver. (Rick Scuteri via AP)
Dallas Cowboys tight end Jason Witten (82) is tackled after a catch by Detroit Lions cornerback Rashaan Melvin (29) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Detroit. The Cowboys defeated the Lions, 35-27. (James D. Smith via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Rashaan Melvin (29) lines up on defense during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019 in Detroit. The Chiefs defeated the Lions 34-30. (Joe Robbins via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Rashaan Melvin (29) defends Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Foster (16) during an NFL preseason football game, Friday, Aug. 23, 2019, in Detroit. The Bills defeated the Lions, 24-20. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Oakland Raiders defensive back Rashaan Melvin (22) turns up field on a interception during the first half of an NFL game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sep. 16, 2018, in Denver. (Eric Bakke via AP)
Oakland Raiders running back Josh Jacobs (28) carries the ball as Detroit Lions cornerback Rashaan Melvin (29) makes a tackle during an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 3, 2019, in Oakland, Calif. Oakland won 31-24. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Detroit Lions defensive back Rashaan Melvin (29) stands on the field during a NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Sunday, November 3, 2019 in Oakland, Calif. The Raiders won the game 31-24. (Paul Jasienski via AP)
Detroit Lions cornerback Rashaan Melvin (29) drops into coverage during an NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2019, in Philadelphia. The Lions defeated the Eagles 27-24. (Al Tielemans via AP)
