4 free-agent cornerbacks the Panthers should consider
By Dean Jones
The Carolina Panthers made some shrewd picks in the 2020 NFL Draft to improve their secondary, but a veteran cornerback should also be sought from free agency.
It proved to be a successful draft from the Carolina Panthers as they looked to establish a core group of young defenders capable of taking the franchise forward. They still look a little short of depth at the cornerback position. So it would be prudent of the decision-makers to bring in a veteran free-agent who is capable of contributing immediately.
The Panthers lost No. 1 corner James Bradberry after the talented player accepted a lucrative deal to join the New York Giants. They also decided not to re-sign Ross Cockrell after some mixed fortunes in a disappointing 5-11 campaign for the organization.
There is plenty of hope that Donte Jackson can make a leap forward and fill the void left by Bradberry. Fourth-round selection Troy Pride Jr. also comes with considerable upside and should be able to shoulder some responsibility during his rookie campaign.
One problem the Panthers might have when looking at the free-agent market is their salary cap situation. They do not have much in the way of spare funds and would need to find cheap options that are willing to accept a short-term, incentivized deal to give them a platform for a longer commitment in Carolina or elsewhere in 2021.
There are still some intriguing options available for the Panthers should they choose to go in this particular direction. Here are four possibilities that warrant consideration.