D.J.

Campbell

Campbell wasn’t invited to any big all-star games, but he drew some interest after a strong Pro Day workout. At a solid 6-foot, 201, Campbell ran 4.54 with explosive jumps of 38 inches in the vertical and 10-foot-7 in the broad. Campbell plays a position of need in Carolina, although he probably won’t be more than a special teamer or practice squad player as a rookie.

Campbell must have been hand-picked by Ron Rivera. He attended Cal, Rivera’s alma mater, after graduating high school with two of the coach’s nieces. Campbell wasn’t invited to the Combine after starting just one year with the Golden Bears. He’s ticketed for special teams in Carolina.

He was placed on injured reserve Tuesday. With Sherrod Martin’s (knee) season over and Charles Godfrey battling a back injury, the Panthers finished last week’s game with D.J. Campbell and Colin Jones at safety. They will have to sign a street free agent for depth. Nakamura was exposed as a subpar starter in his first year with the Panthers. Look for the team to upgrade the position in 2013.

Luckily, the season doesn’t start for another five months. Veteran Charles Godfrey has one of the safety spots locked up, but the other is up for competition. Nakamura started 13 games in 2012, but he was routinely burned in coverage. Look for Carolina to target a safety with one of its five picks in the draft.

Haruki Nakamura isn’t in the mix after his disastrous 2012. Charles Godfrey will start at free safety. Mitchell is a run-stopping specialist. He started just eight games in four years with the Raiders. A 2012 seventh-rounder, Campbell played 252 snaps on defense as a rookie. On paper — and likely in practice — the Panthers have one of the league’s worst secondaries.

He was a 2012 seventh-round pick out of Cal, Panthers coach Ron Rivera’s alma mater. Campbell failed in his bid for Carolina’s strong safety job.

S D.J. Campbell was waived in a corresponding roster move. Brown appeared in five games for the Colts this season, making four tackles. He’s a special teamer.

S Jordan Kovacs was waived in a corresponding roster move. A 2012 seventh-round pick of the Panthers, Campbell made four starts as a rookie, but couldn’t make it past final cuts this season. He’ll contribute on special teams for the Dolphins.

A 2012 seventh-round pick of the Panthers, Campbell was out of the league last year after getting cut by the 49ers in training camp. He’ll provide offseason depth and compete for a role on special teams with the Cardinals.