Carolina Panthers Draft: Making the case for CJ Henderson

The Carolina Panthers need a jolt of new talent on their defensive secondary as it wouldn’t be a bad idea to use the No. 7 overall pick on cornerback CJ Henderson out of Florida.

As general manager Marty Hurney prepares the Carolina Panthers with what should be an interesting 2020 NFL Draft class, all eyes will be on the additions he makes to a struggling defense. Not only has the Panthers’ defense had a plethora of problems in stopping the run, but their defensive secondary got torched by even the most mediocre of offenses last season.

The majority of mock drafts have the Panthers selecting defensive tackle Derrick Brown out of Auburn to address that part of the defense but if he’s not available, a cornerback would suffice. Considered to be one of the best cornerbacks in this year’s draft, CJ Henderson out of Florida would be a good addition to a secondary that is in dire need of new talent.

At 6-1 and 204lbs, Henderson accomplished a lot in his collegiate career. In three seasons, Henderson totaled 93 tackles, eight for loss, four sacks, six interceptions, and 20 passes defended. He has a ton of starting experience and would be an instant starter in his rookie season with the Panthers.

CJ Henderson would be a great fit for the Carolina Panthers

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Not only would Henderson be a great fit for the Panthers but is a classic overachiever. He’s consistent in making clutch plays when it matters most thanks to his speed, situational awareness, and ability to keep receivers in check.

One area of need Henderson would immediately address is not allowing so many opposing offenses to throw deep at will to make big plays anymore. It won’t completely stop it, but good luck to opposing quarterbacks trying to pick at his side of the field.

Henderson excels in keeping up with fast receiving threats and has an excellent motor to maintain momentum during long football games. With the right coaching and training, Henderson can capitalize on his unique skill-set and improve upon some areas to be an all-around cornerback.

If he can improve his overall tackling techniques in zone coverage, Henderson has the potential to be a star cornerback for many years to come. He finished his collegiate career on a high note and will have an easy transition to the pros. Henderson has a very high football IQ as he’s incredibly patient to let plays unfold before him and attack at the perfect moment to make plays to make his presence known.

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Overall, the Panthers’ defense would be getting a smart cornerback with a golden opportunity to grow over time. He’s likely to be a household name and be the kind of defensive player to do his part to finally bring an identity to this lackluster defense. For quite a while now, the Panthers’ defense hasn’t been able to get the job done but with someone like Henderson in the mix, it’s a great start to rebuilding this part of the team to be a formidable and consistent unit in the future.

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