The Panthers let their best cornerback walk in free agency last year. James Bradberry went on to have a fantastic season with the Giants, while Carolina was left searching for answers at a critical position once again. Donte Jackson had a strong year despite foot injuries, but there’s not another outside corner on the roster who’s a true starter at the moment.
Finding a veteran cornerback who can defend the other side of the field and help coach up Carolina’s other young DBs is an idea worth considering. The top pending free agent at the position this year is Richard Sherman, who has a connection with the Panthers’ new general manager.
Pros
Like linebacker K.J. Wright, Sherman (a fifth-round pick) came into the NFL in the 2011 draft class, Scott Fitterer’s first as Seattle’s Director of College Scouting. Aside from Russell Wilson, no other player offered more value over the last decade for the Seahawks. For most of his career Sherman has been one of the game’s top cover defenders and for a few years he was indisputably the best cornerback on the planet. The three-time All-Pro has totaled 36 interceptions and 115 pass breakups in 139 games.
Even though he’s past his prime, Sherman is still an extremely intelligent DB. His influence and experience helped dramatically improve a 49ers secondary that was pitiful only a few years ago. Sherman might be able to help engineer a similar turnaround for the Panthers.
Cons
At 32 years old, Sherman might finally be starting to decline. In 2020 he allowed a 116.2 passer rating and four touchdowns in coverage after only giving up two the previous two years – and that was in just five games. Sherman also won’t come cheap. Spotrac is projecting his market value at $10.4 million a season.
The Panthers can probably afford that, but it wouldn’t leave much for the likes of right tackle Taylor Moton and WR/RB Curtis Samuel, whose extensions should take priority over signing any new players.
Conclusion
Sherman might only have 2-3 quality seasons left, so he’s not a long-term solution to the team’s outside CB problem. That said, he’s far better than the ones the Panthers tried to start opposite Jackson last year. If team owner David Tepper is trying to make a real splash in 2021, then signing a corner of Sherman’s caliber would be a significant step in the right direction.
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