5 Carolina Panthers players with feast or famine prospects in 2021
By Dean Jones
A.J. Bouye – Carolina Panthers CB
Getting better at the cornerback position is something the Carolina Panthers definitely managed to accomplish this offseason. It was undoubtedly one of their top priorities and the unit should be more than be able to hold their own in the pass-happy world of the NFC South.
Jaycee Horn and Keith Taylor Jr. should play a big part during their rookie seasons. But it is the free-agent signing of A.J. Bouye that represents the biggest gamble made by the Panthers in this particular area of the field.
Bouye was one of the best corners around not too long ago. The former Pro Bowler was an absolute stud for the Jacksonville Jaguars before things didn’t go according to plan during his one and only season with the Denver Broncos in 2020.
The player is also suspended for the first two games of the campaign after violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. So it’s vital Bouye sees plenty of reps in preseason games to get him up to speed.
This signing is the definition of feast or famine. If Bouye returns to the form of old, then Carolina’s secondary will be a real force.
However, there is every chance Bouye is now on the decline and the Panthers won’t want him becoming the weak link on an energetic young defense capable of great things in 2021.