The Carolina Panthers added two unrestricted free agents on Thursday.
The Panthers signed safety Thomas DeCoud to a two-year contract and tight end Ed Dickson to a one-year deal, the team announced Thursday.
Dickson will make the veteran minimum $730,000 with a $65,000 signing bonus, according to ESPN.com.
DeCoud left the Atlanta Falcons after six seasons. He was a Pro Bowl selection in 2012 who started 78 of his last 79 games with the Falcons.
Last season in 15 starts, he logged 83 tackles and had a fumble return for a touchdown for Atlanta, which picked DeCoud in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft.
“Thomas provides a veteran in the secondary who is familiar with the NFC South and has been a very solid player,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. “We are pleased to add him to a safety group that has good experience and production.”
DeCoud’s arrival could mean the depature of Panthers safety Charles Godfrey, who was sidelined for most of last season with an Achilles tear. The Panthers could clear $5 million in salary-cap room by releasing him.
Carolina is now stocked at the position after signing former New Orleans Saints safety Roman Harper earlier in the free-agency period.
Dickson played the first four seasons (2010-13) of his career with the Baltimore Ravens after being selected by the team in the third round of the 2010 NFL Draft out of Oregon.
“Ed is a young player who has shown he is a capable blocker as well as receiver in the league,” head coach Ron Rivera said in a statement. “He provides experienced depth at the tight end position and we look forward to having him in the mix.”
In 2013, Dickson started 14 of 16 games, making 25 catches for 273 yards and one touchdown. His best season came in 2011 when he posted career highs in starts (16), receptions (54), receiving yards (528) and touchdowns (five).
For his career, Dickson has played in 60 games with 44 starts and recorded 111 receptions for 1,178 yards and seven touchdowns. He has played in eight postseason contests with five starts, winning a Super Bowl ring with the Ravens after the 2012 season.
