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.
Darqueze Dennard
Darqueze Dennard may have had his troubles with injuries during his time in the NFL. But the former first-round pick still has plenty to offer and is arguably the best free-agent option remaining.
He performed well for the Cincinnati Bengals in the slot last season. Whether Dennard wants to make this position a specialist option or not remains to be seen.
Much was expected of the player when he was taken 24th overall in the 2014 NFL Draft. After playing a bit-part role during his rookie campaign, Dennard appeared in just ten games the following year thanks to a series of niggles.
Dennard’s breakout season came in 2017 with 85 tackles, two sacks, two interceptions, six pass deflections, and a touchdown. But problems staying healthy reared their ugly head once again in both 2018 and 2019
If Dennard can rid himself of his injury problems, then there is plenty to like about his chances of a bounce-back year. Whether the Carolina Panthers are going to be willing to go in this direction regarding a player who has trouble putting a consistent run of games together remains to be seen.
They do need some help at cornerback to aid the transition of Troy Pride Jr., Jeremy Chinn, and Kenny Robinson in the secondary. Dennard has the scope to be a day one starter and take some of the pressure off their fourth-rounder from Notre Dame.
Prince Amukamara
Although Prince Amukamara played well for the Chicago Bears last season. The fact he will turn 31-years-old by the time competitive action gets underway means that regression is a real possibility.
The former 11th overall pick in 2011 was on the field for 88 percent of the Bears’ defensive snaps in 2019. He managed to attain 53 combined tackles, 44 solo tackles, one forced fumble, and ten pass deflections.
This was not enough to earn Amukamara an extension with the Bears. But he does represent a solid short-term option while younger members of the roster get acclimatized to the rigors of the NFL.
There is also the possibility of Donte Jackson not living up to expectations. This would cause substantial problems for a secondary that is going to be under serious pressure in the pass-happy world of the NFC South.
Amukamara might be able to cover down the field like he used to. But the player has a high football IQ and is versatile enough to cover on the outside or in the slot.
This sort of potential from a multiple-use standpoint is something the Panthers’ head coach Matt Rhule has coveted consistently since he took over. If the price is right, then Amukamara might well be an option worth considering as a low-risk, high-reward veteran.
Logan Ryan
Logan Ryan recently announced he would not be returning to the Tennessee Titans, which should see more interest in the player on the free-agent market. He has been a solid if not game-changing cornerback during his time in the NFL and would be a big addition to the Carolina Panthers’ secondary options.
More from Cat Crave
- Ranking the top-five QB prospects the Panthers could draft in 2023
- 4 remaining Carolina Panthers cap crunches after Damien Wilson release
- Could Duce Staley help Carolina Panthers land Jamaal Williams in 2023?
- How much could the Carolina Panthers afford to offer Lamar Jackson?
- 4 Panthers rumors to emerge from 2023 NFL Scouting Combine
Ryan enjoyed arguably he best season as a professional with the Titans last season. He recorded 113 combined tackles, 73 solo tackles, 4.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, four interceptions, and 18 pass deflections. He is also a very reliable presence on a roster in terms of durability, with the ex-New England Patriot missing just three games in his career.
One problem the Panthers might have if they decide to pursue Ryan is money. They don’t have much of it and it is doubtful the player would be willing to accept a short-term deal with the minimal financial commitment given his recent production on the field.
If this is something Carolina’s decision-makers can pull off, it would represent a significant coup. Ryan is a real weapon on blitz packages and has good instincts to always be around the ball in running or passing situations.
Ryan isn’t expected to last too much longer on the free-agent market. And he would ideally be looking to join a team with a more realistic chance of competing in 2020. However, if the opportunity presents itself, it would be more than an enticing option for the Panthers.
Dre Kirkpatrick
Another eye-catching option from the current free agents available is Dre Kirkpatrick, who was recently released by the Cincinnati Bengals. He has been a solid contributor throughout his career and might be worth considering.
The Carolina Panthers could use someone of Kirkpatrick’s experience and game-savvy style of play. Although he is now 30-years-old, there is nothing to suggest he cannot still fill a starting role for a team over the next couple of seasons.
The player is going to command some interest from teams looking to add someone with a proven track record. One red flag regarding Kirkpatrick is the fact he only featured in six games in 2019 due to injury.
Providing that is all behind him, then a new home might come very soon. Kirkpatrick would be a nice stop-gap for the Panthers as they look to completely remold a defense that struggled mightily last season.
Kirkpatrick has accumulated 254 solo tackles, one forced fumble, ten interceptions, and 65 pass deflections during his eight-year career so far. He is also renowned for being a vocal and influential presence within the locker room, which is something the Panthers need after losing several key members of their roster during the offseason.
If Carolina opts to bring in a veteran on a short-term deal, then Kirkpatrick should be high on their shortlist of possibilities.