3 things to know about new Carolina Panthers CB C.J. Henderson

C.J Henderson fits the Carolina Panthers mold

At least from the outside looking in, C.J. Henderson fits the mold regarding what the Carolina Panthers are trying to do on defense. The cornerback is athletic, physical and can assist either in run support or against the pass.

Just why things haven’t quite gone according to plan for Henderson in Jacksonville is unclear. As Trevor Lawrence is finding out this season, coming into a struggling organization isn’t the easiest of situations, so the Panthers are banking on the player enjoying a new lease of life with a significant upgrade in talent around him.

There shouldn’t be that much pressure on Henderson, at least initially.

Carolina has Donte Jackson and A.J. Bouye – two experienced figures that will know how to steer him in the right direction.

Providing his transition to the Panthers is a smooth one, expect Henderson to suit up at the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4 in some capacity. This is an opportunity he cannot afford to pass up, but there should be no more excuses now.

The Panthers have shown a willingness to take chances on players like Henderson. The talent is obviously there, but as quarterback Sam Darnold is showing, situations matter just as much.

This could be a shrewd pickup by Carolina. One that adds another string to the bow of their increasingly dominant defense.