Justin

McCray

Taylor was a fifth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, and played on 378 defensive snaps last season. One of several Matt Rhule draft picks to get the ax on cut-down day, Taylor earned a PFF coverage grade of 52.1 last season and allowed 23 receptions for 369 yards and two touchdowns on 30 targets. In addition to Taylor, the Panthers also waived/released WR Shi Smith, LB Brandon Smith, WR Javon Wims, OL Justin McCray, and LB Deion Jones.

McCray is best viewed as a backup. This will be his fourth team in four years, and he’s played less than 600 snaps in each season since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2014.

McCray started four games with the Browns in 2019 and five games with the Packers in the prior season. McCray is a versatile lineman who can play multiple positions. His primary role will be as the backup to Atlanta’s right guard, 2019 first-round pick Chris Lindstrom.

The former second overall pick was benched for Justin McCray in Week 8, though that experiment failed miserably as McCray was a disaster against the Patriots, earning PFF’s worst tackle grade among Week 8 qualifiers. Poor offensive line play has certainly been a factor in Baker Mayfield’s sophomore slump. Only six quarterbacks have taken more sacks than Mayfield in 2019.

Lamm, who was called on to play left tackle following starter Greg Robinson’s ejection for unsportsmanlike conduct, exited in the second quarter. With Lamm done for the afternoon, Chris Hubbard has shifted to Baker Mayfield’s blind side with Justin McCray in at right tackle. Cameron Wake has manhandled Cleveland (two sacks) in the early going and should continue to have his way with the Browns now down to their third-string left tackle.

McCray has started 13 games over the previous two seasons for the Packers, but Green Bay went out and addressed its line during the offseason. The 27-year-old could land on his feet as an interior reserve.

McCray was an exclusive rights free agent, so he had no choice but to sign the one-year tender. McCray opened 2018 as the starter at right guard, but a shoulder injury derailed his season. He should get another shot to earn a starting job this year.

McCray has missed the last two games because of a shoulder injury, but he looks ready to go following full practices on Friday and Saturday. Byron Bell will head back to the bench.

McCray picked up a shoulder injury last week in Washington and was not able to practice at all this week. He could be looking a multi-week absence. Lucas Patrick or Byron Bell will fill in while McCray is sidelined.

Jahri Evans held down the right guard spot last season, but he is a free agent and might be looking to retire. McCray saw his first real action in the NFL last season, playing 595 mostly below average snaps at several positions. Perhaps he can take a step forward if allowed to just focus on guard, but that is at best a projection.