5 NFC West free agents the Carolina Panthers should target in 2021

Ahkello Witherspoon – CB

• 2020 team – San Francisco 49ers

Although the Carolina Panthers made encouraging strides on defense as the season went on, they could use a couple of solid contributors within their secondary to keep them going in the right direction. This bears special significance at cornerback, with questions surrounding all positions on the depth chart outside of No. 1 option Donte Jackson.

The former LSU standout looked like the shutdown corner Carolina hoped he would be once he was at full health down the stretch. So if they can get another veteran that can lock up the other side of the field, it should make the Panthers a real force to be reckoned with.

There might be bigger names on the free-agent market, but Ahkello Witherspoon is someone that should take the eye of Carolina’s front office. The former third-round pick made his presence felt on a limited role for the San Francisco 49ers last season and it could be the start of bigger and better things with more responsibility on his shoulders.

Witherspoon gave up 16 receptions from 28 targets on his way to an outstanding 80.2 grade from Pro Football Focus. This has done his chances of gaining interest from other teams the world of good and it might be a shrewd pickup for the Panthers at a cost that should work for both parties.