The Carolina Panthers had an impressive draft, adding talent to both sides of the ball, and they added to their draft class with several UDFA signings. Here are three UDFAs who could potentially make the Carolina Panthers roster.
Carolina Panthers UDFAs Who Could Make An Impact On The Team In 2025
WR Kobe Hudson, UCF
The Panthers have invested a lot in the receiver position in the draft and free agency to make sure Bryce Young has improved weapons around him in 2025. They not only signed Hunter Renfrow and took Tetairoa McMillan with the eighth overall pick, but also spent a sixth-round pick on Jimmy Horn Jr., and signed multiple undrafted free agent receivers, including Hudson. Hudson is a gifted route runner with one of the best release packages of any receiver who was available in the draft. He can consistently beat press coverage, and he does a great job making plays down the field with great vertical route running ability and ball tracking skills. Hudson is not the most athletically gifted receiver, and he will need to clean up some of the drops he had in college, but he is talented enough to compete for a spot as a quality depth receiver.
IOL Luke Kandra, Cincinnati
Kandra is an athletic and experienced offensive lineman. He started two seasons at Cincinnati with over 800 snaps in back-to-back seasons, and had an impressive showing at his Pro Day with a 5.17 40-yard dash time and 32.5-inch vertical leap. A strong guard with powerful hands and a good anchor. He is a smart player who plays with relentless effort. Kandra shines best as a run blocker, but also showed improvement in pass protection in 2024, and allowed zero sacks on the season. Kandra lacks great flexibility, but he has the size and overall athleticism to potentially develop into a starting-caliber player. The Panthers have greatly improved their offensive line over the last few seasons, but there is still room for a player with Kandra’s talent to potentially compete for and win a spot as a backup developmental guard on the roster.
K Ryan Fitzgerald, Florida State
The Panthers did not re-sign Eddy Pineiro this offseason after three seasons with Carolina, meaning the Panthers will likely have a new kicker in 2025. The team signed Matthew Wright in February, but Fitzgerald has the talent to potentially compete with Wright for the starting kicker position. Fitzgerald was a consistent kicker for Florida State over the last two seasons, hitting 32 out of 34 of his kicks, and every single extra point attempt in 2023 and 2024. He has a big leg and hit all five of his 50-plus-yard field goal attempts in 2024, including a 59-yard field goal against Georgia Tech.
Fitzgerald had some struggles earlier in his career, including a 60% field goal percentage season in 2022. Wright has also proven to be a solid journeyman kicker in the NFL, who is coming off a season where he hit 15 out of his 16 field goal attempts. It won’t be easy for Fitzgerald to earn a spot as the Panthers’ starting kicker, but he has the ability to be yet another productive Florida State kicker in the NFL.
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