4 Panthers players who need to hit the ground running in 2020
By Dean Jones
Donte Jackson – CB
The stakes could not be higher for Donte Jackson in 2020. He is the No. 1 option at cornerback following the departure of James Bradberry and the Carolina Panthers will be counting on him to produce the goods against the NFL’s best wide receivers.
This is something that Jackson is sure to relish. He has all the traits one looks for in a possible shutdown cornerback. But he will need to cut out silly decision-making against players who will punish him at almost every given opportunity.
It is going to be something of a baptism of fire for the former LSU standout. The options around him don’t fill you with any sort of hope and if Jackson struggles then it is going to be a long season for the Panthers.
Jackson is set for a crash course in covering the elite. He has the speed to go down the field easily with receivers. But locating the ball in the air has been something of a problem for him at times.
He needs to be firing on all cylinders from the outset to give Carolina the best possible chance of success. The Panthers defense is an area of real concern on the backend heading into the campaign and players like Jackson will need to be at the top of their game on almost every down.
If the corner can prove his worth as the team’s No. 1 option at the position. Then it could come with a substantial payday next spring.