Carolina Panthers Draft: Is Jeff Okudah the next great shutdown corner?

What would Okudah bring to the Panthers?

Jeff Okudah would walk into the Carolina Panthers as their No. 1 cornerback from the moment he steps on the field if they are fortunate enough to acquire him. The roster is short of secondary options and they cannot go into 2020 with Donte Jackson as their most dependable presence.

Trading up to take Okudah in the top-five might not be a realistic option given the Panthers only have eight selections at their disposal. It will have to be a case of wait and see and if the former Buckeye falls into their lap, they would be foolish not to take him.

Carolina has plenty of defensive needs and cornerback is right up there. The franchise is reportedly keen on taking Florida standout CJ Henderson. But he is a distant second to Okudah and there is a big drop off in potential after the first two corner prospects.

Okudah is a born winner who thrives in the biggest of environments. He is NFL ready now and could even make the Pro Bowl in his first season in the pros.

There is nothing he cannot do on the field and would be an instant upgrade on what the Panthers currently have. The organization is going to have to contend with some exceptional passing attacks in the NFC South next season and taking someone like Okudah would ease the burden considerably.

Only time will tell as to whether Okudah will be there at No. 7. But it is probably something that Panthers are very much hoping for.