4 best-case scenarios for Panthers during the 2021 NFL Draft

Carolina Panthers get a starting-caliber CB

Although the Carolina Panthers boosted their cornerback room with the free-agent signing of A.J. Bouye, the veteran will be missing the first two games due to suspension and the organization needs to find a potential shutdown presence on the outside that can be seen as a long-term solution to the problem.

Luckily for Carolina, this is set to be a deep class for cornerbacks. There is some real value to be had throughout the draft providing they select the right guy, which would do their chances of progression next season and beyond the world of good.

Donte Jackson looked every bit the No. 1 corner Carolina hoped he would be down the stretch. But the former LSU star is heading into a contract year and another solid output of production might make keeping him around difficult.

For this reason alone, a top college prospect needs to be sought this offseason. Someone like Asante Samuel Jr. represents a tremendous fit for the Panthers, but whether he’ll be around at No. 39 overall remains to be seen.

Regardless of whether it’s Samuel or someone else, there is a real opportunity for the Panthers to strengthen a positional group that lost Rasul Douglas and Corn Elder in free agency. This would also take the pressure off Troy Pride Jr. and Stantley Thomas-Oliver, who need a little more time to develop judging by their rookie efforts.