5 Panthers players who could become first-time Pro Bowlers in 2021

Donte Jackson – Carolina Panthers CB

It’s hard to gauge just how good Donte Jackson is or could be. The cornerback certainly looked like a formidable player during the final few games of the 2020 season, which was once again hampered by a frustrating injury that hampered his overall progress.

Jackson was a yard off with his turf toe and the Panthers rightfully took him out of the firing line midway through the campaign. Once he returned after their Week 13 bye, the former LSU star looked like a different player.

Two things need to happen for Jackson in 2021.

He needs to showcase the same consistency we saw down the stretch last time out.

And he also needs to stay healthy for a consistent period of time.

If Jackson can do this, then it’s hard to envisage a scenario where the cornerback unit doesn’t become an area of real strength with the additions of Jaycee Horn and A.J. Bouye.

It might also earn the 2018 second-round pick a bumper new deal.

Jackson is heading into the final year of his rookie contract, which pays him a base salary of $2.44 million and counts $2.83 million against Carolina’s cap.

A Pro Bowl campaign from Jackson will see this rise considerably. Whether that’s with the Panthers or somewhere else is another matter entirely.