The Carolina Panthers could be close to adding a former Pro Bowl safety to their young secondary.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Panthers are hosting veteran safety Donte Whitner for a workout on Friday.
Source: Former Pro Bowl safety Donte Whitner is flying to Carolina tomorrow for a workout with the #Panthers. Could be a big-time addition
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 25, 2016
Whitner, 31, played in 14 games for the Cleveland Browns last season, tallying 81 tackles but also failing to produce an interception. He was released in April, despite the move costing the Browns almost $4 million on dead money.
His only visit since ended without a new contract from the Los Angeles Rams.
The Panthers could view Whitner—who made three straight Pro Bowls from 2012 to 2014—as a veteran safeguard at a position in which Carolina currently has Kurt Coleman and Tre Boston as starters. The back end of the secondary figures to be far more important for the Panthers in 2016, especially with All-Pro Josh Norman in Washington and two rookies—James Bradberry and Daryl Worley—in line to start at cornerback.
In his prime with the San Francisco 49ers, Whitner was an intimidating physical force at the backend of the secondary. Reliable despite his style of play, the former first-round pick has played in at least 14 games for six straight seasons.
A deal could come together quickly if the Panthers like what they see in Whitner’s workout on Friday.
