Undrafted but not overlooked — Malick Meiga joins the Carolina Panthers in shock post-2026 NFL Draft move

Canadian receiver Malick Meiga has officially signed with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent following the conclusion of the 2026 NFL Draft, according to his agent Nathaniel “Nate” Thomas.

The highly athletic pass catcher secured a $15,000 signing bonus to join the Panthers in Charlotte and is understood to have turned down more lucrative guaranteed offers from other interested teams, opting instead for what he believes is the clearest pathway to earning a roster spot, particularly through special teams contributions.

Meiga brings an intriguing blend of size and athleticism to the NFL level, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 205 pounds. He impressed scouts with a standout pro day performance at Coastal Carolina University, where he reportedly clocked a 4.43-second 40-yard dash — with some evaluators timing him even faster in the low 4.3 range — alongside strong testing numbers that included a 36.5-inch vertical jump, a 10-foot-6 broad jump, 20 bench press reps, and impressive agility results in both shuttle and three-cone drills.

His college career featured stints at both Penn State and Coastal Carolina. At Coastal Carolina, he appeared in 23 games over two seasons, recording 26 receptions for 326 yards and a touchdown. Prior to that, he spent time with the Nittany Lions, where he contributed nine catches for 106 yards and a score across 28 appearances, while also developing a strong reputation as a reliable special teams player with nine recorded tackles.

Born in the Ivory Coast, Meiga spent parts of his childhood in Rome before settling in Saint-Jérôme, Quebec. He later developed his game at Cégep du Vieux-Montréal, emerging as a three-star recruit and attracting interest from 17 NCAA programs before ultimately committing to Penn State.

Looking ahead, Meiga had been projected as a notable name in the 2026 CFL Draft, ranked as the 17th overall prospect. However, his move to the NFL is expected to significantly alter his draft stock in Canada, likely pushing him down the board as he pursues an opportunity at the highest level of American football.