Jaelan Phillips won’t be the only new face in the Panthers’ outside-inebackers room during the offseason program.
Carolina agreed to terms with former Los Angeles Rams outside linebacker Nick Hampton on Friday, a league source confirmed to The Charlotte Observer. The immediate terms of Hampton’s agreement with the Panthers weren’t disclosed.
Hampton, who turns 26 in April, is a native of Anderson, South Carolina, and played college football at nearby Appalachian State.
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Nick Hampton looks on before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field on November 03, 2024 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) Steph Chambers Getty Images
During his three seasons with the Rams, the 2023 fifth-round pick appeared in 36 games. However, the bulk of his work came on special teams, as he only played 118 defensive snaps across his tenure. Hampton played a career-high 65% of the Rams’ special-teams snaps last season, producing 10 tackles.
Hampton is likely to compete for a special-teams role and outside linebacker depth chart job this offseason. Phillips and Nic Scourton are expected to start, with Pat Jones and Princely Umanmielen providing rotational depth. Thomas Incoom and Trevis Gipson will presumably compete with Hampton for backup duties.
The return of a special-teams ace
Along with the addition of Hampton, the Panthers also brought back a familiar face from the 2024 season.
The Panthers agreed to terms with tight end Feleipe Franks on Friday evening, a league source confirmed. The terms of the deal weren’t immediately disclosed.
Franks, 28, spent last season with the Atlanta Falcons. Franks played in all 17 games for Atlanta, appearing mostly on special teams. However, he did carry the ball twice for 4 yards in limited action. He played 299 total snaps on special teams, which was good for 67% of the team’s snap count in that phase.
Atlanta Falcons tight end Feleipe Franks scores a touchdown in front of Dallas Cowboys CB Robert Rochell during the second quarter of an NFL Preseason 2025 game at AT&T Stadium on August 22, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) Stacy Revere Getty Images
In 2024, Franks appeared in 16 games for Carolina. He caught one pass for 12 yards, but also produced 10 special-teams tackles.
In an annual locker room poll conducted by The Charlotte Observer, Franks was voted Panthers’ 2024 special teams MVP by his teammates.
Franks, a former college quarterback, has established himself as a dependable special-teams player over the past two years. He has played 53 career games, and his specialty has been on punt and kickoff coverage.
Franks will compete for a depth spot in training camp behind familiar teammates, Tommy Tremble and Ja’Tavion Sanders. The team added Mitchell Evans, James Mitchell and Bryce Pierre last offseason, and that trio will serve as Franks’ main offseason competition during the summer months.
The Panthers’ moving and shaking in free agency
Re-signed: S Nick Scott, LS JJ Jansen, P Sam Martin, OLB Trevis Gipson, TE James Mitchell, OLB Thomas Incoom, ILB Claudin Cherelus, CB Akayleb Evans, CB Robert Rochell, WR David Moore, DE LaBryan Ray, S Isaiah Simmons
Signed in free agency: OLB Jaelan Phillips, ILB Devin Lloyd, C Luke Fortner, OT Rasheed Walker, QB Kenny Pickett, RB AJ Dillon, OT Stone Forsythe, WR John Metchie III, TE Feleipe Franks, OLB Nick Hampton
Agreed to trade: QB Andy Dalton
Released: DE A’Shawn Robinson
Signed elsewhere: C Cade Mays (DET), RB Rico Dowdle (PIT)
The Charlotte Observer
Mike Kaye writes about the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer. He also co-hosts “Processing Blue: A Panthers Podcast” for The Observer. Kaye’s work in columns/analysis and sports feature writing has been honored by the North Carolina Press Association (NCPA). His reporting has also received recognition from the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).Kaye previously covered the entire NFL for Pro Football Network, the Philadelphia Eagles for NJ Advance Media and the Jacksonville Jaguars for First Coast News. Support my work with a digital subscription