Carolina Panthers become first NFL team to sign entire draft class ahead of rookie minicamp

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carolina panthers helmet — Chuck Cook | USA TODAY Sports

As rookie minicamp starts today in Charlotte, the Panthers finished one huge task. The team signed all its draft picks selected last month.

And the Panthers also became the first NFL team to get all the rookie contracts behind them. Because all the salaries are slotted, contracts become more nuisance paperwork than intense negotiations. Still, the Panthers are ahead of the NFL curve.

Former South Carolina Gamecock Xavier Legette tops the draft class. The Panthers traded back into the first round to pick Legette, who former quarterback Cam Newton likes to call “Big Country.” Legette’s contract is a four-year deal worth $12,357,176. There is an option for a fifth year, but the Panthers have three years to decide whether to pick it up.

xavier legette panthers draft — The Carolina Panthers traded back into the first round to grab South Carolina receiver Xavier Legette. (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)

Panthers grab couple of Texas Longhorns to help on offense

Former Texas Longhorn Jonathon Brooks is Carolina’s second-rounder. The running back also has friend and former Longhorn teammate Ja’Tavion Sanders on the Panthers with him. Carolina used a fourth-round pick on Sanders, a tight end with soft hands.

Brooks tore his ACL last November and needed surgery to repair it. He will not be participating in rookie minicamp drills. In spite of his knee rehab, Brooks was the first running back off the board. The Panthers, similar to what they did with Legette, moved up six spots to grab Brooks.

“For us, just knowing the style of football we’re going to play, that position is so important,” new coach Dave Canales said about Brooks in a recent press availability.

jonathon brooks panthers — The Panthers selected Brooks, the former Texas star, in the second round. He was the first running back chosen in the draft. (Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK)

It also was important for Carolina to start collecting offensive options for quarterback Bryce Young, the No. 1 pick of last year’s NFL Draft. The Panthers used the first, second and fourth-round picks to address offensive needs.

The others in the class include linebacker Trevin Wallace (third round); cornerback Chau Smith Wade (fifth); defensive tackle Jaden Crumedy (sixth) and linebacker Michael Barrett (seventh). They’re all good to start practicing this weekend.