4 major elements that held the Carolina Panthers back in 2022
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers CB depth
This discussion does not involve Jaycee Horn. The second-year-pro came back with a vengeance after lasting just 2.5 games as a rookie, putting together arguably the best season of any Carolina Panthers cornerback since Josh Norman attained All-Pro honors in 2015.
Horn is a shutdown presence capable of locking down one side of the field. A player that opposing offenses are already looking away from in pursuit of moving the chains.
What comes behind Horn is less solid. Donte Jackson’s inconsistent performances and early exit through injury are a microcosm of how things have unfolded throughout his career so far, with C.J. Henderson and Keith Taylor Jr. failing to provide enough consistency when given prominent reps.
This lack of cornerback depth or reliability is something that cost the Panthers. When Horn broke his wrist and was ruled out of their NFC South title decider at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there was only going to be one outcome.
Carolina must bolster their secondary in the coming months to cope better with any health concerns. This bears more significance if the new coaching staff decides to move Jeremy Chinn back to the outside linebacker spot where he starred as a rookie.
Teams in today’s NFL need at least four cornerbacks capable of assured coverage. The Panthers just don’t possess that with their current options.
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