Rashaan

Melvin

Melvin signed a one-year deal with the Panthers back in March, but he did not report to camp earlier this week. Now we know why. A journeyman, Melvin played for six teams in seven seasons -- he sat out the 2020 season -- starting 42 games along the way. He finishes his career with 260 tackles and four interceptions.

Melvin turns 33 in October and did not play at all in 2020 after opting out of the season. He provided 248 defensive snaps in 10 games with Carolina last year, coming back to the team after not surviving camp cuts, and has generally been a decent run defender if not an upper-echelon corner. He’ll be functional depth for the Panthers again in 2022.

The former Lions, Raiders and Colts starter opted out of the 2020 season for the Jags. He was then cut in March. On the wrong side of 30 with zero in-game reps since 2019, Melvin will probably have a hard time forcing his way onto the field this season.

Melvin has bounced around the league since entering as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Last year, he opted out of the season for COVID-19 reasons and the Jaguars released him shortly after. The 31-year-old offers depth as a fringe starter. Carolina will be playing a lot of Cover 3 zone defense under DC Phil Snow. Expect plenty of three-safety looks, too.

Melvin was among the Jacksonville players to opt out of the 2020 season. He made 12 starts for the Lions as an every-down player in 2019. He was graded as Pro Football Focus’ 68th best cornerback that season. Melvin, 31, should draw interest from teams in the coming weeks.

Melvin made 12 starts for the Lions as an every-down player last year, signing a one-year, $2.25 million contract with Jacksonville in free agency. He was expected to compete behind D.J. Hayden and first-round rookie C.J. Henderson as the team’s nickel corner. That role will now likely fall to either Tre Herndon or Parry Nickerson.

The 2013 UDFA spent last season in Detroit, making 12 starts. He missed three games with a ribs issue but was otherwise an every-down player. Melvin will be in the mix for No. 3 duties behind Darqueze Dennard and D.J. Hayden. The Jags also have Tre Herndon.

Melvin’s absence wouldn’t really impact the projections for the Washington passing game. Terry McLaurin is the only fantasy-viable WR or TE for the Redskins, and he’s expected to be shadowed by Darius Slay.

The Raiders are running low on corners after letting each of T.J. Carrie, Sean Smith and David Amerson walk, and Melvin is one of the best players remaining in the picked-over corner market. A late-bloomer, 28-year-old Melvin is coming off a strong year in Indianapolis, though he missed six games with injury.

Green Bay is looking to replace Damarious Randall, who was traded to Cleveland last week, while Oakland also has a hole to fill after losing T.J. Carrie in free agency. Melvin was having a breakout year before a hand injury landed him on I.R. last season. Now that Trumaine Johnson, Malcolm Butler, Aaron Colvin and Patrick Robinson have all found new homes, Melvin has emerged as one the top cornerbacks available on the open market.