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Carolina Panthers: Top 5 offseason additions, post 2018 NFL Draft

By Russell S. Baxter

SAN DIEGO, CA - OCTOBER 13: C.J. Anderson #22 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball as he is followed by Caraun Reid #91 of the San Diego Chargers during the fourth quarter of a 21-13 Charger win at Qualcomm Stadium on October 13, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - OCTOBER 13: C.J. Anderson #22 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball as he is followed by Caraun Reid #91 of the San Diego Chargers during the fourth quarter of a 21-13 Charger win at Qualcomm Stadium on October 13, 2016 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 18: Donte Jackson #1 of the LSU Tigers motions towards the crowd against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Neyland Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 18: Donte Jackson #1 of the LSU Tigers motions towards the crowd against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Neyland Stadium on November 18, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

5. Donte Jackson, CB (LSU)

Speed was a big part of the Carolina Panthers’ 2018 draft. The team made that perfectly clear with some of its early selections in April. One area that the team needed to address was its pass defense. Ron Rivera’s club finished in the bottom half of the league when it came to passing yards allowed. The club gave up 25 touchdown passes during the regular season and was torched by New Orleans Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees in the playoffs.

This is a secondary that has seemingly not recovered after letting now-current Washington Redskins’ cornerback Josh Norman test free agency in 2016. That April, the club drafted three cornerbacks and two of them (Daryl Worley and Zack Sanchez) are no longer with the team. Hence the team’s decision to use a second-round pick two months ago on LSU’s Donte Jackson.

According to NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein, the speedy prospect has tremendous potential:

"Cover corner with below-average size, but elite speed and athleticism. Jackson lacks instincts but has rare closing burst so there will be feast-or-famine games in his future. Due to his slight frame, teams are sure to test his resolve and durability in run support. Jackson’s athletic traits should ensure that he makes plenty of plays on the ball, but he’ll need to develop better route recognition and focus in order to reach his full potential. Jackson should find early work as a third cornerback."

It will be interesting to see just how long it takes Jackson — who ran a blazing 4.32 when it came to the 40 at February’s combine — to push for a starting spot in the Carolina secondary.

Next: No. 4

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