4 Carolina Panthers players trending towards draft bust status in 2023

C.J. Henderson – Carolina Panthers CB

• No. 9 overall selection (2020)

After another season littered with inconsistencies, C.J. Henderson is highly unlikely to reach the ceiling expected of a top-10 draft selection. Something that makes it almost impossible for the Carolina Panthers to justify picking up his fifth-year option this offseason.

Again, this wasn’t a player selected by the Panthers, although he was reportedly high on their list of potential candidates before they eventually went with Derrick Brown at No. 7 overall in 2020. However, those in power felt they could turn his career around, giving up a third-round selection and Dan Arnold to bring him on board.

There were some positives from Henderson, who responded well to some harsh words from Steve Wilks when things weren’t going in his favor. But a dismal outing against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17 proved beyond all doubt a rotational role is probably where he’s best suited.

Henderson needs a monumental offseason of growth for confidence in his abilities to increase. He also needs to impress new defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero, who can ill afford any passengers jeopardizing his blossoming reputation in league circles.

Considering how dominant Henderson was at Florida, avoiding the draft bust label now seems impossible. Another season with the same complications could mean he’s out of the league entirely.