Panthers select Wisconsin P Nortman in 6th round

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) The Panthers have selected punter Brad Nortman from Wisconsin with the 207th pick in the sixth round of the NFL draft.

It's the first time the Panthers have drafted a punter.

Nortman is the only punter on the roster after the Panthers released veteran Jason Baker in a salary cap move.

Nortman, who averaged 42.1 yards per punt at Wisconsin and placed 19 punts inside the 20-yard line, said getting drafted was "a dream come true."

The Panthers were 27th in the league gross punting average and last in net average after allowing three returns for touchdowns last season.

The Panthers chose Nortman over Georgia's Drew Butler, the son of former NFL kicker Kevin Butler who played with Panthers coach Ron Rivera for eight years with the Chicago Bears.

Updated April 28, 2012