3 Ways the Panthers Improved This Offseason (and 2 They Didn't)
By Joe Summers
2. Cornerback
While the Panthers could still sign a free agent like Stephon Gilmore, the secondary looks like a weakness on paper. Jaycee Horn played in only six games last year and Dane Jackson played only 50% of defensive snaps for Buffalo last year, leaving their cornerback room perilously thin.
None of Troy Hill, D'Shawn Jamison, Dicaprio Bootle, or Lamar Jackson inspire much confidence. If Horn can stay on the field, that'll provide the group a huge boost. A thin room could get thinner with just a couple of guys getting banged up,
New #Panthers CB Chau Smith-Wade is a surprise at first, but he checks a lot of boxes for Dan Morgan
— Edgar Salmingo, Jr. ✌🏽 (@PanthersAnalyst) April 27, 2024
✅ Team captain
✅ Wants to play special teams
✅ Ball hawk with history or forced fumbles, PBUs, and INTs
✅ Standout and playmaker at Senior Bowl pic.twitter.com/TZm9jfsJhR
Fifth-round pick Chau Smith-Wade could turn into a contributor, though the Panthers haven't invested heavily into the position otherwise aside from signing Jackson. The defensive front and scheme will matter a lot for this group, though a relatively weak NFC South helps matters.
I'd expect the Panthers to upgrade the secondary next offseason barring a breakout from someone like Smith-Wade. They were wise to utilize resources on the trenches and skill-position players. Offense is more sustainable than defense typically but you still need a good enough defense.
Look for Carolina to consider signing a free agent this summer if they're disappointed by the cornerback group early.
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