Analysis: Panthers need help at cornerback, especially if James Bradberry moves on
The Panthers have a lot of questions to answer on defense. Every position has at least some sort of unknown associated with it, especially cornerback.
Everything is pointing in the direction of James Bradberry playing in a different uniform for the first time in his NFL career next season after numerous conversations with sources with knowledge of the situation and Bradberry himself. But what does that mean for the team’s future at the position?
The Panthers’ defense as a whole did not impress in 2019, but one of the lone bright spots was Bradberry. It’s likely that a replacement could be found through the draft or cheaply in free agency. But what about the options on the roster? What’s next for them?
With the new league year just two weeks away, here’s a look at the Panthers defensive backs situation.
Panthers offseason position analysis:
WHAT WENT RIGHT IN 2019
Bradberry had the best season of his career. In a tough division, the team’s cornerbacks overall played well despite defensive line play lapsing throughout the year. Ross Cockrell was one of the defense’s most consistent players, filling in at a variety of spots whenever needed.
Given one of the toughest assignments week after week, Bradberry went up against the opposing team’s number one receiver in each game, a particularly difficult task against the NFC South, which had all four Pro Bowlers at receiver (Michael Thomas, Julio Jones, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin).
Donte Jackson and Bradberry each had three interceptions, tying Tre Boston for the most on the team.
Things were going well during the first half of the season, with Bradberry even having two interceptions in a game and the cornerbacks giving the line plenty of time to get pressure. The Panthers finished the season with the second-most sacks in the league (53). But things fell apart during the eight-game losing streak.
WHAT WENT WRONG IN 2019
Everything from November on. The defense had its moments during the second half of the year, but a lack of turnovers was a major issue, on top of everything else that took place with this defense.
From Week 10 on, the Panthers only had two interceptions, both by Boston, tied for the fewest in the NFL during that time span. That can’t happen. Not one cornerback had an interception over the final eight games of the year. Despite how well Bradberry and Cockrell may have played and how reliable they were, they certainly weren’t perfect.
The other issue for the Panthers at the position is 2019 was Jackson. Toward the end of the year, he was responsible for giving up multiple touchdowns. The less-than-satisfactory play led to Jackson calling out the coaching staff after the team’s loss in Atlanta.
He was then effectively benched by interim head coach Perry Fewell for the final two games of the year, despite the team being well out of playoff contention and needing to see every snap they could from the young players.
“(Jackson) had had a poor couple weeks in performance and so we felt we need to make a change and have someone else play instead of Donte today,” Fewell said after the team’s Week 16 loss to the Colts.
Unfortunately, Jackson’s season will mostly be remembered for the plays he did give up.
UNDER CONTRACT (4)
[Check out the safeties breakdown for a full look at the team’s defensive backs that could also fill in at corner]
Donte Jackson (Entering third year of 4-year, $4.8 million contract)
Jackson has had his woes throughout his first two seasons in the NFL, but he also has shined at times. He’ll likely have a big opportunity ahead in Phil Snow’s new defense.
Corn Elder (Entering second year of 2-year, $1.2 million contract)
Elder returned to the Panthers midseason after they signed him off the Giants practice squad. He only played in one game, but is a good depth piece at corner.
Dominique Hatfield (1-year, $660,000 contract)
Hatfield joined the Panthers practice squad in Week 16 last year. He was then given a reserve future contract at the end of the season.
Cole Luke (1-year, $585,000 contract)
Luke spent the first half of the season on the practice squad in 2019, but he was elevated and played in the Panthers’ final eight games of the year. He mostly was just on special teams, but did record two defensive tackles in Green Bay.
All contract numbers are per Spotrac.
FREE AGENT (3)
James Bradberry
It’s unlikely that Bradberry returns, despite the four years he has put together with the Panthers and developing into the team’s top corner. He’s going to cost too much for them and will likely end up among the highest paid corners in the NFL.
Ross Cockrell
Cockrell filled in wherever the Panthers needed him in 2019. They would do well to try and bring him back. Not only is he a valuable, versatile weapon on the field, but also he’s a good teacher for the younger players off the field. The Panthers won’t bring back many of their free agents, but Cockrell should be among the ones they do.
Javien Elliott
Elliott played well in the nickel spot in 2019 when he got his opportunities. He could be a good, cheaper piece for the Panthers to consider bringing back in 2020.
OFFSEASON NEEDS
The Panthers need a corner. They do not have someone on the roster who can come in and replace Bradberry, assuming he moves on. The most likely solution seems to be through the draft. If they aren’t willing to pay Bradberry top money, they aren’t going to pay another free agent cornerback an exorbitant amount.
Perhaps Ohio State’s Jeff Okudah would make sense at seventh overall if the Panthers other top choices are gone, or Carolina could trade back in the first round for him. There are plenty of other cornerbacks they could consider later in the draft. Kristian Fulton from LSU could be an option later in the first round or early in the second round, as well as Jeff Gladney from TCU. Gladney would be more of a project, but the Panthers are going to be open to players with raw skills. The team may also look to find an undervalued corner late in the draft that it thinks it can develop over time to fill that spot.
