CHARLOTTE – The Panthers added to the secondary Thursday, agreeing to terms on a one-year deal with veteran cornerback Rashaan Melvin.
The 31-year-old Melvin signed with the Jaguars last spring, but opted out of the season for reasons related to COVID-19. The Jaguars released him Wednesday.
Originally entering the league as an undrafted rookie from Northern Illinois, Melvin has also spent time with the Buccaneers, Dolphins, Ravens, Patriots, Colts, Raiders, and Lions.
The Panthers had starter Donte Jackson, and second-year players Troy Pride Jr. and Stantley Thomas-Oliver III at cornerback, so depth was a necessity as they continue to work the market.
The Panthers also signed running back Darius Clark, who played at Newberry.
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)
