Carolina Panthers should monitor Julius Brents
- Defensive Back | Kansas State Wildcats
Donte Jackson could miss a large part of the 2023 season as he recovers from a torn Achilles. Jaycee Horn is a shutdown presence capable of locking up one side of the field, but C.J. Henderson and Keith Taylor Jr. haven’t proven to be all that reliable under extreme pressure.
That’s why the Carolina Panthers must find another cornerback this offseason to pick up the slack. Someone that can return a once-promising unit back to prominence.
Going down the draft route comes with risks. But judging by the way Julius Brents is approaching the early part of Senior Bowl week, he could be someone worth considering when the time comes.
Brents is fast, athletic, and has the physicality needed to become a tremendous press cover cornerback in the right scheme. The Kansas State product has a rare ability to knock receivers off their routes at the line of scrimmage, which is something every team looks for in the modern-day NFL where the passing game is king.
Once Brents improves the footwork aspect, someone is going to have a real player on their hands. And his traits would fit into the Panthers’ young and progressive defense well under a new, yet-to-be-named defensive coordinator.
Brents also has the versatility to play anywhere in the secondary. This is something highly valued by general manager Scott Fitterer, who’ll have the final say on picks now Matt Rhule is no longer around.