Which cornerback prospects could the Carolina Panthers draft to replace Donte Jackson, who was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Donte Jackson was going to become a salary-cap casualty this offseason. The Carolina Panthers turned into something positive, including the veteran cornerback in a trade that brought wide receiver Diontae Johnson to the organization. This has the makings of a fantastic pick up - one that could assist Bryce Young considerably as the quarterback goes in search of a bounce-back campaign.
The Panthers look a little light on cornerback options currently. Dane Jackson should assist following his arrival from the Buffalo Bills in free agency. Troy Hill is returning as a solid depth option. Aside from that, the cupboard is relatively bare aside from Jaycee Horn, who isn't the most dependable health-wise despite his exceptional talent.
With options diminishing on the free-agent market, the Panthers could look towards the 2024 NFL Draft for a long-term solution. This is the most cost-effective measure for sustained production. But finding the right prospect is crucial considering how Ejiro Evero's defense has been decimated in recent weeks.
On this topic, here are four cornerback prospects the Panthers could draft to replace Jackson in 2024.
Carolina Panthers could draft D.J. James
If the Carolina Panthers want to use one of their Day 2 selections to bolster the cornerback position, someone like D.J. James makes a ton of sense. The Auburn prospect is a quick-twitch mover with outstanding awareness from a coverage standpoint. He's an aggressive player, although bulking up to cope with increased NFL demands would be prudent to ensure a smooth transition.
James boasts quick feet and reacts superbly when it comes to route-anticipation. His tackling technique needs work and he'll need to improve his contribution against the run, but there's a lot to like about his potential within Ejiro Evero's 3-4 base system.
Carolina Panthers could draft Kamari Lassiter
It looked for a long time as if Kamari Lassiter would be a sure-fire first-round pick. Many analysts believed he was the standout cornerback coming out this year before the 2023 campaign. That's not the case anymore.
Lassiter's production remained consistent at Georgia during his final college campaign. He didn't take the significant leap forward many were expecting, but he didn't exactly provide many causes for concern either.
Unfortunately, people are starting to look at Lassiter a little differently throughout pre-draft assessments. The defensive back didn't exactly set the world alight at the NFL Scouting Combine. It was the same at his pro day. Therefore, the scouts must trust what they see on tape in the face of these newfound red flags.
Sliding in the rankings across the media is something that could lead the Carolina Panthers to Lassiter early in the second round. He plays much quicker than his 40-yard dash time suggests through outstanding coverage, using leverage to his advantage and having no trouble getting wide receivers off their routes in press situations.
His instincts stand out in zone schemes, too. Lassiter needs to work on his discipline and add a little mass to his frame to avoid any unnecessary complications. Once these kinks are worked out, someone will have a tremendous player on their hands despite the increasing skepticism surrounding the player.
Carolina Panthers could draft Cam Hart
If Kamari Lassiter's stock has dropped considerably during the pre-draft assessment phase, the opposite is occurring for Cam Hart. The imposing cornerback turned heads in the best possible way during testing. This has alleviated concerns about his ability to become impactful at the next level - something that virtually guarantees he'll be taken at some stage on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Hart is 6-foot-3 with the length to make his presence felt in press coverage. He's a slick mover downfield and makes a big impression over short-to-intermediate routes. The Notre Dame prospect's 4.5-second 40-yard dash time wouldn't be classed as elite speed by any stretch, but it was encouraging to see for a player his size.
More importantly, this shows up on tape. Hart's recovery skills are first-class, although he did show a tendency to get beat deep on occasion when going up against high-caliber wideouts at the college level. That said, his physical approach isn't scheme-dependent, which might entice him to Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero looking at how he deploys his unit.
Another prerequisite of Evero's scheme is having defensive backs capable of assisting against the run. Hart thrives in this regard and is a willing contributor. Once the player starts trusting his instincts a little better and adds more flexibility to his movement, it's hard to envisage a scenario where he doesn't carve out a successful NFL career for himself.
Carolina Panthers could draft Nate Wiggins
The Carolina Panthers aren't blessed with much high-end draft capital this year. They don't have a first-rounder after suffering the embarrassment of giving up the No. 1 overall selection to the Chicago Bears. However, they got themselves an extra second-rounder after stud edge rusher Brian Burns was traded to the New York Giants.
Dan Morgan has to do more with less. He's on damage control, making sacrifices in the short term for future prosperity. Some might not like it considering how much suffering fans have endured since David Tepper bought the team, but it's the right thing to do in difficult circumstances.
That said, if the Panthers feel like there is a prospect high on their board worth trading into the first round to acquire, a discussion must be had. The need for wide receiver and edge rushing help is evident. But if someone like Nate Wiggins starts slipping down the order, those in power would be wise to examine the Clemson prospect in greater detail.
The Panthers have taken an interest in Wiggins throughout their ongoing evaluations, and it's not hard to see why. His explosiveness and top-end speed are absolutely off the charts. This is matched by exceptional anticipation of route concepts and the ability to convert opportunities into turnovers with relative frequency.
If Wiggins adds some extra bulk to his frame, he's a Day 1 starter with high-end potential for immediate profitability. If he falls into the 20s, don't be surprised if the Panthers start making inquiries about moving up.