The Carolina Panthers made a handful of roster moves on Monday, signing defensive tackle Tywone Malone and running back Miles Davis. While neither move makes national headlines, both additions give the coaching staff additional bodies to evaluate as the team progresses through its offseason program under head coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan.
The signings, which were processed on May 18, 2026, bring the Panthers' roster closer to the 90-man offseason limit. Both players will have opportunities to compete for roles when training camp opens later this summer.
Tywone Malone Brings Size to the Interior
The addition of Tywone Malone addresses a position group that could use some additional competition. Malone, a defensive tackle prospect, measured in with impressive size during his college career, checking in at 6-foot-4 and over 320 pounds. That kind of mass is valuable in the middle of a defensive front, particularly for a Panthers defense coordinated by Ejiro Evero that asks its interior linemen to occupy blockers and create opportunities for the linebackers behind them.
Malone joins a defensive tackle room that already features established veteran Derrick Brown, along with Bobby Brown III, Tershawn Wharton, and Cam Jackson. The Panthers also have Aaron Hall, Lee Hunter, and Parker Petersen on the roster at the position. That's a crowded group, but Malone's size profile gives him a specific niche -- he projects as a run-stuffing nose tackle type who could rotate in on early downs if he impresses during the preseason.
The Panthers have prioritized fortifying their defensive line under Morgan's front office leadership. Signing a player like Malone is consistent with that philosophy -- bring in a young, physically gifted player and see if the coaching staff can develop him into a contributor.
Miles Davis Joins a Deep Running Back Room
Running back Miles Davis is the other addition, joining a backfield that is already one of the more intriguing position groups on the roster. The Panthers currently have Chuba Hubbard, Jonathon Brooks, AJ Dillon, and Trevor Etienne as the primary options, with Montrell Johnson Jr. and Anthony Tyus III also vying for carries.
Davis will have his work cut out for him breaking into that rotation. Hubbard is coming off another productive season and is the clear RB1. Brooks, the team's second-round pick in 2024, is expected to take on a larger role after recovering from his college knee injury. Dillon provides a powerful short-yardage and goal-line presence. And Etienne, a rookie, brings explosive playmaking ability that offensive coordinator Brad Idzik will look to utilize.
Still, training camp injuries are a reality, and having a running back with Davis's skill set on the roster provides insurance. Head coach Dave Canales has emphasized competition at every spot throughout the offseason, and Davis will get his fair share of reps during OTAs and minicamp.
What This Means for the Panthers' Offseason Plan
These two signings are the kind of under-the-radar moves that typically fill out the bottom of a roster during the spring. Neither player is likely to be projected as a starter, but both could carve out roles on special teams or as rotational reserves if they outperform expectations.
For the Panthers, these additions also signal that Morgan and his personnel staff are continuing to churn the bottom of the roster. The team has been active throughout the offseason in free agency and the draft, and these late-May additions reflect a front office that understands roster building is a year-round endeavor.
The timing of these moves is significant as well. With the Panthers set to begin organized team activities soon, getting both players into the building now allows them to participate in the remainder of the offseason program. That extra time to learn the playbook and build chemistry with teammates could prove invaluable if either player pushes for a roster spot in September.
Looking Ahead
Training camp battles will ultimately determine whether Tywone Malone and Miles Davis have a future in Carolina. But for now, both players have an opportunity. The Panthers have shown under this coaching staff and front office that they are willing to give undrafted free agents and late-offseason signings a real chance to compete.
The defensive line competition, in particular, will be worth monitoring. Derrick Brown is one of the best interior defenders in the league, and Bobby Brown III has shown flashes. But beyond those two, there are snaps available for a player who can consistently hold the point of attack against the run. If Malone can do that during the preseason, he could force his way onto the roster.
In the backfield, the path is more difficult given the depth already in place. But running back is a position where injuries happen frequently, and teams can never have too many capable bodies. If Miles Davis shows he can contribute on special teams or pass protection, he could carve out a role.
For now, the Panthers have added two more names to the roster. It's the kind of quiet transaction that defines the bulk of the NFL calendar. Whether either player becomes a household name in Carolina remains to be seen, but they'll get their chance to prove themselves when the pads go on.
The Panthers return to the practice field in a few weeks for mandatory minicamp, followed by training camp in late July. By then, the picture of who will contribute in 2026 will start to come into sharper focus. For Tywone Malone and Miles Davis, the work begins now.