The Carolina Panthers signed third-round pick Charles Johnson on Monday.
Johnson, a defensive end from Georgia, is the third of eight draft picks to come to terms, joining fourth-round selection Ryne Robinson and fifth-round choice Dante Rosario.
The 6-foot-2, 270-pound Johnson had 73 tackles and 14.5 sacks in three years at Georgia. Johnson had 9.5 sacks last season and was a second-team all-Southeastern Conference pick.
Johnson, who left school after his junior season, is expected to contend for significant playing time next season after the Panthers released defensive end Al Wallace in a salary cap move.
The Panthers expect to have their five unsigned picks, including first-round choice Jon Beason and second-round picks Dwayne Jarrett and Ryan Kalil, locked up before players report to training camp July 27.
Also Monday, the Panthers waived defensive tackle Marques Thornton, who had been signed as an undrafted rookie from Texas A&M.
See more at http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com
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