Panthers Reunite Promising Defender With GM Dan Morgan in Free Agency
By Jovan Alford
The Carolina Panthers are completely revamping this secondary this offseason as they traded veteran cornerback Donte Jackson to the Pittsburgh Steelers, released veteran safety Vonn Bell, and saw veteran safety Jeremy Chinn sign a one-year contract with the Washington Commanders.
The Panthers haven’t addressed the safety position yet in free agency. But they’ve found a potential starting cornerback with ties to new general manager Dan Morgan.
Panthers News: Carolina Bolsters Secondary With Dane Jackson Signing
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero reported Wednesday that Carolina signed former Buffalo Bills cornerback Dane Jackson to a two-year contract worth up to $14.5 million. Mike Kaye of the Charlotte Observer adds that Morgan was in Buffalo when the Bills drafted him in 2020.
For Carolina and Dane Jackson, it’s a two-year deal worth up to $14.5 million, per source. Starter money for a guy who started 28 games over four seasons in Buffalo. https://t.co/K4GndT3BdI pic.twitter.com/3LToy6zBOV
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 13, 2024
The #Panthers have agreed to terms on a deal with Bills cornerback Dane Jackson, per league source.
— Mike Kaye (@mike_e_kaye) March 13, 2024
Dan Morgan was the exec in Buffalo who pounded the table for him in the draft in 2020.
That story: https://t.co/IPN4iMceKq
The 27-year-old cornerback shockingly saw a decrease in playing time in 2023 (six starts and played 50 percent of snaps) after starting 14 games in 2022 and playing a career-high 82 percent of defensive snaps.
This past season, the 5-foot-11 cornerback had 39 combined tackles and five pass deflections. He also didn’t fare well in pass coverage, producing a 74.3 completion percentage allowed on targets and a 109.6 pass rating allowed when targeted but gave up one receiving touchdown.
The Panthers will hope that Jackson’s off-year in pass coverage last season is not a trend and that he can emerge as one of the starters in the secondary.
Carolina is sitting at +1000 to win the NFC South, so moves like this one are more to help build for the future by establishing a winning culture. Morgan is showing an eye for talent and with more moves like these, the Panthers could be competitive sooner than later.
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