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What will the Panthers do in the off-season about the other cornerback spot opposite Horn? Draft another one? Do they want a slot cornerback to compete with Chau Smith-Wade? Also, will they sign any UFL players? — Louis, Salters, SC
Even after bringing back Mike Jackson and extending Horn, this isn't one of the positions at which they've adequately addressed the depth questions. You can't do it all in one offseason, or even in two.
And it's reasonable to expect them to add there next offseason, but in the interim, some younger guys are getting looks.
Smith-Wade looks so much more comfortable in his second season, as you'd expect, and he has experience inside which will be helpful. But his background is on the perimeter, so he would likely be the next man up if anything happened to Horn or Jackson.
Shemar Bartholomew has made some plays in recent practices (including a dramatic pick-six to close it out Tuesday), as has Akayleb Evans. They were part of the all-hands-on-deck approach to the position last year.
Bartholomew was claimed off waivers from the Jets last August, one of six players claimed at the initial cuts to 53. The Panthers were one of four teams to put in a claim, suggesting that young corners with size are always in demand. And he had a chance to learn and grow into this system.
Evans was claimed off waivers in November from the Vikings. He's played some in the league, starting 15 games for Minnesota in 2023. He's also one of the fastest dudes on the roster, which is saying something.
I'm sure they'll continue to look around. Since Dan Morgan has become general manager, that much has become clear.
As it pertains to the UFL, they haven't moved for any of the spring league players so far. Doesn't mean they won't, but they seem to like what they have on hand better than what they've seen in that developmental league.
The roster has been remarkably consistent this spring. Other than swapping out a receiver because of injury (Moose Muhammad III), they haven't made any transactions at all in nearly a month. That's in stark contrast to years past, when guys were coming and going throughout OTAs.
That suggests a certain stability and confidence in the scouting department as well. If you bring in a guy and immediately find out he doesn't belong during rookie minicamp, that's not ideal. But they haven't had to shuffle any of those guys out, for what it's worth.