5 Panthers players who could get slapped with the bust label in 2021
By Dean Jones
Donte Jackson – Carolina Panthers CB
- 2nd round pick – 2018
First off, Donte Jackson has all the skills needed to become a potential shutdown cornerback for the Carolina Panthers. Even if he hasn’t managed to put it all together consistently as yet.
The 2020 season was a frustrating one overall for the former second-round pick. Jackson dealt with a problematic toe injury right up until the Week 13 bye, something that hindered his ability to make the necessary leap forward following the departure of James Bradberry in free agency.
Jackson did manage to finish the campaign on a high note with some outstanding performances down the stretch. This has left plenty of reasons to suspect a career year could be coming for the LSU product at just the right time.
It’s well documented that this is a contract season for Jackson. He’ll need to perform to the level we saw at the end of last season and – perhaps more importantly – stay healthy for the majority of the campaign.
If he can do this, then he’ll be thoroughly deserving of the pay increase coming his way next spring.
There is also a flip side to this coin.
Should Jackson fail to meet targets and suffer injury complications once again, it might see the Panthers cut their losses and let the corner take his chances elsewhere.
If this scenario does come to fruition – however unlikely it may appear – then Jackson will go down as a Panthers draft bust even if he thrives elsewhere.