CHARLOTTE — The Panthers added some defensive depth, and a player who should be a core special teams player in a deal with the Bills Monday.
The Panthers acquired defensive end Darryl Johnson from the Bills in exchange for a 2022 sixth-round pick.
The 24-year-old Johnson has played in 31 games the last two seasons, and has 2.0 sacks. But he's been a standout in the kicking game for the Bills, and will slot into that role here.
He was originally a seventh-round pick from North Carolina A&T in 2019 (225th overall). In his senior season for the Aggies, he was the MEAC defensive player of the year.
The Bills defensive line includes four former Panthers (Star Lotulelei, Mario Addison, Vernon Butler, Efe Obada). The Bills also gave the Panthers a conditional seventh-round pick in 2023 for linebacker Andre Smith in a deal from last August, as the pipeline between the two teams continues to flow.
With the move, the Panthers' roster stands at 72. They have to be at 53 by 4 p.m. Tuesday. Since cornerback A.J. Bouye will be placed on reserve/suspended for the first two weeks, they'll have to release 18 other players before the deadline.
View the best selection of photos from Carolina's three preseason games against the Colts, Ravens and Steelers.
