7. Ross Cockrell, Unsigned Free Agent
If Troy Hill isn’t the least-known cornerback on this list, it’s because Ross Cockrell is. But after a broken tibia and fibula that cost him the entire 2018 season, the fourth-round pick of the Bills in 2014, who also played for the Steelers and Giants before he signed a two-year deal with Carolina in 2018, recovered quite nicely. Last season, Cockrell gave up 37 receptions on 67 targets for 441 yards, 171 yards after the catch, one touchdown, two interceptions, and an opponent passer rating of 68.1 — sixth-best among cornerbacks with at least 50 targets. With James Bradberry signing with the Giants in free agency, one would think that the Panthers would want Cockrell back on the roster for 2020 and beyond; his lack of a new team may just be a procedural hangup due to the complications brought about by the coronavirus pandemic. But any team looking for a reliable player who has developed excellent technique should have his agent’s number.
When people talk about "getting sticky" with receivers, Ross Cockrell of the Panthers does it really well. Teams counter by throwing quick passes, curls, and comebacks for easier completions. But he's tough to deal with through a vertical route. pic.twitter.com/rtySrx8lWQ
— Doug Farrar (@NFL_DougFarrar) July 13, 2020