With the 2025 NFL Draft wrapped up, all 32 NFL teams will be giving their rookies a first look at the NFL at rookie minicamp this month. Some teams have conducted their rookie minicamp this weekend, while others will open camp next weekend.
Rookie minicamp is a great opportunity for undrafted rookies on a tryout/invite to prove to the coaches that they deserve a chance to be on the 90-man roster for training camp. At the same time, rookie minicamp also helps veteran players looking for another opportunity to get back on the field.
Former Houston Texans cornerback Keion Crossen is one of those vets looking to earn a spot on a team’s 90-man roster for training camp. On Friday, Aaron Wilson of KPRC-2 reported that Crossen has been invited to Carolina Panthers' rookie minicamp.
Veteran corner and special teams ace Keion Crossen invited to #Panthers rookie minicamp, per a source. Crossen previously #Dolphins #Texans #Patriots @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/PNTptDAnc0
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) May 2, 2025
The veteran defensive back last played in an NFL regular season game in 2022 with the Miami Dolphins. Before he joined the Dolphins in 2022, Crossen spent the 2021 season with the New York Giants and two years with the Texans (2019-20).
Crossen appeared in 32 games over those two years with the Texans, spending most of his time on special teams. The Texans acquired Crossen in a trade from the New England Patriots at the end of the preseason in August 2019.
In his first season in the Lone Star State, the former New England Patriots’ seventh-round pick was a backup/reserve in the secondary. Crossen had 13 combined tackles, a pass deflection, and a quarterback hit.
However, Crossen started four games in his second year with the club. The 5-foot-10 defensive back accumulated 46 combined tackles and five pass deflections. Crossen possessed a 57.1 completion percentage allowed on targets, a 91.6 pass rating allowed when targeted, and only gave up one receiving touchdown.
After his two years in Houston, the Texans traded Crossen to the Giants in August 2021. The veteran defensive back played in 16 games with the Giants but signed with the Dolphins in 2022.
Crossen again appeared in 16 games and started in two during the 2022 campaign with the Dolphins. Miami placed Crossen on injured reserve on August 29, 2023, and ultimately released him last offseason.
The veteran cornerback was signed to the Arizona Cardinals’ practice squad in October, but was cut two weeks later. He will now look to compete for a roster spot with the Panthers, who could desperately use more depth in the secondary heading into training camp this summer.
Given how much ground Crossen has lost, going from a fill-in starter to not even lasting on a practice squad, this could be his last chance to revive his career.