5 Panthers not named Sam Darnold with the most at stake in 2021
By Noah Bryce
Donte Jackson – Carolina Panthers CB
Drafted at a time where the Carolina Panthers looked to have their No. 1 cornerback finally locked down after the departure of Josh Norman, Donte Jackson wasn’t seen as the team’s future at the position.
However, things quickly changed after the team decided to let James Bradberry walk after the rookie’s first season.
Thrust into a No.1 corner role in 2019, Jackson stumbled under the pressure and his stats took a bit of a dive, giving up a passer rating of over 100 that season. But the former LSU Tiger still performed rather well in his newfound role despite those struggles.
Well enough for the team to give him in that role again in the 2020 season, trust that was rewarded with a stellar bounce-back year. However, injuries somewhat lessened Jackson’s effectiveness for most of the season, causing him to lose a step at times due to a rather painful turf toe, and limited him to only 14 games.
The Panthers never once shied away from putting him opposite some of the game’s best receivers and he consistently performed well, something Jackson can build on next season.
Even with those injury struggles, Jackson has continued to be one of the most aggressive corners in the game and plays with a hard-nosed style that coaches and fans love to watch. Even if that can become a bit of a liability at points.
Always reading the quarterback to undercut routes and sometimes seeming to even run the route for the receiver. Jackson’s average of three interceptions a season isn’t necessarily eye-catching, but the potential is always there for a big play.
With that being said, the cornerback room is beginning to look mighty crowded in Carolina with the addition of first-round pick Jaycee Horn as well as free-agent addition A.J. Bouye.
While being the incumbent starter and his past production give Jackson the large lead in any starting battle, the former second-rounder will have to be at his absolute best to hold off what seems to be a great crop of young corners even beyond Horn.
If injuries prove to be an issue yet again or if Jackson is inconsistent at all, someone will be right there ready to take his place, such is the nature of the NFL after all.
This is the final year of Jackson’s rookie deal and if things don’t go as planned, the hyper-aggressive corner could find himself demoted to the slot or even not on the team come next season.
That is not an exaggeration.
The new regime in Carolina does not shy away from cutting ties with players that they see as not measuring up to their contracts.
But either way, a big payday is on the horizon for Jackson. The only question now is how much and where. A question that hinges entirely on what he shows in 2021.