The Panthers roster is mostly set for the 2020 season. There are still a few spots that need to be addressed, though.
Cornerback remains a major problem, even after the team picked Notre Dame’s Troy Pride Jr. in the fourth round of the draft and Stantley Thomas-Oliver in the seventh.
On WFNZ today, general manager Marty Hurney admitted that bringing in a veteran cornerback is the priority right now as far as adding to the roster. He also mentioned defensive tackle and the offensive line, per the Charlotte Observer.
Marty Hurney on @wfnz says the obvious, that bringing in a veteran cornerback is the priority in terms of adding to the roster. Mentioned offensive line and defensive tackle as well.
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg) May 27, 2020
Problem is, there’s not many options at this point in the offseason. The Panthers would be in better position now if they had signed a corner in the first phase of free agency or drafted another one early on – perhaps after trading down in the first round.
Anyway, the list of names at cornerback is short. Logan Ryan is in a tier to himself but the team doesn’t have enough cap room to sign him. After Ryan, there’s a handful of busts and B-listers like Eli Apple, Darqueze Dennard, Mackensie Alexander and Trumaine Johnson.
The best choice may be somebody else.
Ross Cockrell played relatively well last season and earned 11 starts. He finished the year with two interceptions and eight pass breakups and was solid enough in coverage. Cockrell is probably never going to make the Pro Bowl, but it makes more sense to bring him back than signing these others.
Unless the Panthers find a way to clear enough room for Logan Ryan, Cockrell should get the opportunity.
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