4 Panthers who could outplay their contracts in 2020
By Dean Jones
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. CAROLINA PANTHERS. DONTEJACKSON. CB. 1. player. 87
Carolina Panthers Player No. 1: Donte Jackson (CB)
This is the biggest season of Donte Jackson’s young career without a shadow of a doubt. The cornerback is now the No. 1 option on the Carolina Panthers. And it is going to be a real baptism of fire for the former LSU standout.
Jackson has shown incredible promise since arriving with the organization as a second-round pick in 2018. But covering the more elite receivers in the NFL is going to be a mammoth task for the player next season.
How Jackson gets on is going to be crucial to the Panthers’ fortunes. And it could also see the corner outplay his current rookie deal if he lives up to expectations.
The player is set to make a base salary of $910,000 next season, which is the penultimate of his deal. Jackson will earn $1.13 million in 2021 and there is little doubt that he would probably be looking for an extension next spring if his play dictates this.
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There is a lot riding on next season for the player and the Panthers. If Jackson struggles against the opposition’s best receiving option, then it will force Carolina’s hand and look for other alternatives either via free agency or the NFL Draft.
However, if Jackson provides the Panthers with a shutdown corner presence. It will give him plenty of leverage in pursuit of a multi-million-dollar contract more in keeping with the skill set he brings to the table.