The purge of Matt Rhule’s robust 2021 draft class continues.
As announced on Tuesday morning, the Carolina Panthers have waived three picks from 2021—cornerback Keith Taylor, wide receiver Shi Smith and guard Deonte Brown.
Taylor, perhaps the most surprising departure, was selected in the fifth round that spring. The University of Washington product went on to play a pretty decent role in Carolina’s secondary since, playing in 34 of a possible 35 games in the last two seasons.
The 6-foot-3, 195-pounder recorded five starts over those 34 outings. He totaled 67 tackles, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and six passes defensed.
Smith, who also served as a depth piece for the Panthers, is another one of the more high-profile cuts of the morning. The Union, S.C. native and University of South Carolina product reeled in a combined 28 passes for 400 yards and a pair of scores over 23 games and fielded 23 punts in 2022.
Brown appeared in three games in 2021.
Only five of the class’ 11 players are currently active members of the roster.
