5 free agents that could help the Carolina Panthers after Week 3
By Dean Jones
Buster Skrine – CB
The Carolina Panthers have two stud cornerbacks on the outside in Donte Jackson and Jaycee Horn. But with the rookie breaking his foot, a contingency plan needs to be formed, and quickly, to prevent a loss of momentum.
Carolina hasn’t really given the likes of Stantley Thomas-Oliver III or Keith Taylor Jr. time on the field to see what they can do, so bringing in a veteran alongside Jackson and A.J. Bouye to hold the No. 3 position down and allow this young duo to develop further might be a shrewd move.
Buster Skrine had a down year in 2020 with the Chicago Bears, but he represents a solid option still sitting on the free-agent market that could be of use.
The former fifth-round pick is athletic and aggressive, with tackling a strong component of his overall game. Skrine recently worked out with the Baltimore Ravens without the two sides coming to an agreement, so the Carolina Panthers might want to do the same and see what he could potentially offer.
Skrine hasn’t been around the set-up before. This cannot be said of Corn Elder and Rashaan Melvin, who’ve occupied positions on the practice squad and might be preferred due to scheme familiarity.
Signing a player like Skrine could also hamper the progress of Taylor and Thomas-Oliver, which cannot be overlooked this early in the campaign.