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.
Should the Carolina Panthers re-sign Cockrell?
Outside of Donte Jackson and incoming rookie Troy Pride Jr., the lack of depth at cornerback for the Carolina Panthers remains a concern. It is essential they bring in a veteran presence to ease the transition of younger players and give the franchise another dependable presence on the rotation.
Ross Cockrell knows the Panthers inside-out from his two-year spell with the organization. While the coaching staff may be different, there is no telling just how much having someone there who knows what the fanbase demands will be for the early development of recruits such as Pride Jr. and seventh-round pick Stantley Thomas-Oliver.
This wouldn’t come with much financial commitment from the Panthers’ perspective, which is welcome. They aren’t in a position to offer big money due to salary cap constraints and if Cockrell can be brought in on the cheap, it represents an enticing option.
Head coach Matt Rhule has also stated his desire to use second-rounder Jeremy Chinn as a possible slot corner. But the Southern Illinois standout struggles on the outside and this is an area that Cockrell can cover efficiently while the rookies get used to the rigors of the NFL.
There is nothing to suggest that Cockrell is showing any signs of regression and he is still in his prime at 28-years-old. This might only be a short-term option for both parties but one that definitely warrants consideration if the price is right.
Cockrell was one of the bright spots in an otherwise lackluster campaign from the Panthers’ defense in 2019. With plenty of exciting prospects coming in next term, a composed figure such as him might well be worth bringing back.