Should the Carolina Panthers re-sign Ross Cockrell?
By Dean Jones
The Carolina Panthers may need to bolster their cornerback room with a veteran presence in 2020, but should they consider bringing back Ross Cockrell?
It was a very encouraging draft from the Carolina Panthers. They got younger on defensive and built a successful foundation for the future.
This might come with some teething problems in 2020. Which could mean the franchise goes for a veteran cornerback in free agency that could provide some useful experience to the group.
The Panthers placed considerable expectations on Donte Jackson to make a leap forward next season. But putting too much pressure on the shoulders of fourth-round selection Troy Pride Jr. might have a detrimental impact on his long-term prospects in the pros.
Ross Cockrell spent the last two seasons in Carolina and performed well. He still remains on the free-agent market and it is somewhat surprising that the Panthers nor another NFL team have secured his services for the upcoming campaign.
The former fourth-round pick out of Duke signed a two-year, $6.6 million contract with the Panthers in 2018. This included a $2.4 million signing bonus and $2.4 million guaranteed. Cockrell ended his first season with the organization on the injured reserve list. But the player bounced back in fine fashion last term.
Cockrell ended 2019 with 62 combined tackles, 48 of which were solo. He also attained two interceptions, eight pass deflections, and gave up 37 receptions from 68 targets.
The Panthers cornerback room will look far different when training camp gets underway. Cockrell is not on the roster currently and talented individual James Bradberry also departed in favor of a free agent move to the New York Giants.