4 free-agent CBs the Panthers should target after Jaycee Horn injury
By Dean Jones
Gareon Conley
It’s easy to forget that Gareon Conley was a first-round pick once upon a time. This came after a standout college career with Ohio State that led many analysts to believe that he could become a shutdown cornerback at the next level.
Unfortunately for Conley, things haven’t gone according to plan.
Injuries have played a leading role in the player not reaching some lofty expectations and it’s been a while since the corner’s seen any significant time on the field in a competitive setting.
Conley is athletic and sufficient enough in coverage when healthy. But keeping this way has been the biggest problem and the Carolina Panthers would be taking a big risk by identifying him as the man to fill Jaycee Horn’s void moving forward.
In truth, nobody on the free-agent market will replicate what Horn brings to the table. But the Panthers have shown a willingness to chances on players like this in the past with some success.
Obviously, it would be a tryout first before Carolina comes to a formal conclusion. However, at 26 years old it might be a little too soon to give up on Conley just yet.
Must Read. Carolina Panthers: 5 key observations from Sam Darnold’s performance at the Texans. light
And who knows, perhaps an increased sense of urgency due to his uncertain long-term future could see Conley finally emerging from his current draft bust tag.