After a week and a half of free agency, the Panthers still have some huge holes to fill. You get the feeling the team is gearing up for a defense-heavy draft class and fortunately there are plenty of defensive prospects who can make an impact starting Week 1.
Cornerback is perhaps the team’s greatest need, so let’s take a look at one of the best man cover corners in this class, LSU’s Kristian Fulton.
Scouting Report:
Fulton measured in at six-foot, 197 pounds at the NFL Combine. Many scouts questioned his explosive ability and straight line speed, but Fulton had a respectable performance to put an end to that conversation. He posted a 4.46 second 40-yard dash, 35.5 inch vertical and 10.25 foot broad jump.
Fulton is not the twitchiest player on the field in short area spaces, but he has been battle tested against the fastest and most skilled receivers college football has to offer in the SEC. Also, LSU primarily played man coverage throughout their 2019-2020 season. This means that Fulton was out on an island, one on one against a high level of competition.
What makes Fulton so special is his fluid hips and tremendous ability to mirror receivers in press-man coverage. He does not posses ball-hawking ability. However, he stays in the hip pocket of every receiver he faces and is always in their face when the ball comes. Fulton is also a solid tackler and is not afraid to be aggressive when lowering his shoulder while blowing up screens in the backfield.
Fulton is also respectable in zone coverage, but lacks the ability to sit back and really make a good break on the ball before it gets to the receiver. He is definitely better suited to play press-man rather than zone, so he will only be on the radar of teams who play a lot of man coverage. As his draft stock remains steady at the mid-late first round, he likely won’t be worth the investment for a team that primarily plays zone coverage.
Highlights:
Fulton vs. Alabama
Fulton vs. Florida
Fulton vs. Texas
Fulton vs. Auburn
Fit with Panthers:
After James Bradberry’s departure, there is only one capable corner left on the roster in Donte Jackson. So, the Panthers will need to address this spot in the early stages of the draft. Fulton would be more than adequate and would be a tremendous pickup. If the Panthers trade down to the mid-late first round, he could be in their sights.
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