5 early free agents on defense for the Panthers to target in 2022
By Dean Jones
Marshon Lattimore – CB
- 2021 team – New Orleans Saints
The Carolina Panthers look far stronger at cornerback right now than they did when the 2020 season ended. Jaycee Horn, A.J. Bouye, and potentially Keith Taylor Jr. should provide more consistency if all reach their respective targets, which will assist No. 1 option Donte Jackson considerably heading into a contract year.
The LSU product looked like a shutdown corner down the stretch after finally getting rid of a toe problem that really hampered him right up until the Week 13 bye. Jackson needs to build on this positive momentum and remain healthy next season. If he does, then a big payday won’t be far behind.
If the worst happens and the Panthers cannot hold onto Jackson, it could set their rebuild back unless a viable alternative isn’t found. Marshon Lattimore is coming off a down year with the New Orleans Saints in 2020 and has plenty to prove on his fifth-year option if the former first-round pick wants a long-term term commitment.
Much will depend on how Lattimore responds to adversity for arguably the first time in his career. It’s easy to forget he was once considered a player who could lock up the very best in the business consistently, although the jury is still out as to whether he can return to this sort of form.