Could Josh Norman be the perfect mentor for Jaycee Horn?

The Carolina Panthers spent their first-round pick on cornerback Jaycee Horn, but could Josh Norman be the perfect mentor for the promising rookie?

The Carolina Panthers should consider signing free-agent cornerback Josh Norman heading into OTAs and training camp. He has never been the same since leaving the organization for a big-money deal with the Washington Football Team, with his most memorable highlight since was receiving a brutal stiff-arm from Derrick Henry during the Buffalo Bills‘ game with the Tennessee Titans this season.

This is hardly the play you want fans to remember when you were once a premier corner in the game. Norman has never had the raw physicality to make him great. He was a great player based on his motor and his ability to get in his opponents’ heads.

Norman had an innate ability to talk his way into making plays and shutting down receivers who were far superior to his skill set. He used everything at his disposal, the Patrick Beverley of the NFL if you will.

Watching Norman’s tape it isn’t hard to see he isn’t the corner he once was. However, there is reason to think bringing him back to the Panthers and being part of an up-and-coming team could result in a bounce-back of sorts.

Josh Norman could be the perfect role model for new Carolina Panthers CB Jaycee Horn.

He certainly could be an invaluable asset to rookie Jaycee Horn, providing him not only with advice on how to be a prolific cornerback but also what is required to win people over in Carolina.

Putting Norman on the roster as the third or fourth corner absolutely makes this team better.

In his time with the organization, Norman was certainly one of the most popular players not only on his own team but across the league. He brought an entertaining edge to an otherwise often boring defense and managed to accumulate some notable highlights along the way.

The Panthers have already added corner A.J. Bouye during free agency. However, in a passing league bringing another veteran such as Norman into the fold wouldn’t be costly and would add needed depth with the jury still out on Troy Pride Jr. and Stantley Thomas-Oliver entering their second seasons.

Seeing Norman back in Panther colors for one last go-around would feel right. It also perfectly fits this underdog team of rookies and veterans looking to prove themselves.

Providing Norman still has something left in the tank, there would be no better place to prove it than in Carolina and although he might be a little past his prime, his experience could be invaluable on and off the field.