Upgrading the cornerbacks room should be one of several roster issues the Panthers address this offseason. Donte Jackson looks to have a bright future ahead of him but Captain Munnerlyn is past his prime and James Bradberry has proven too inconsistent to be a true No. 1 corner in the NFL.
The 2019 free agent class of cornerbacks doesn’t spark a whole lot of joy, but there are some intriguing options in the draft. According to Gary Davenport at Bleacher Report, Notre Dame’s Julian Love should be Carolina’s “dream” draft target this year.
“Were it not for the fact that Love lacks ideal height (5’10”), he’d be a first-round prospect. But what Love doesn’t have in size, he makes up for in just about every other area.”
Seeing is believing. Let’s take a look at Love’s college tape.
Love vs. Michigan
Love vs. Stanford
Love vs. Vanderbilt
I’m still of the opinion that Carolina’s dream target should be either a potential 10-year starter at left tackle or a regular yearly double-digit sack producer at defensive end. However, it’s tough not to like the idea of securing the corner rotation with another young piece.
Love appears to have the ability he needs: in 38 career games, he posted 176 total tackles (six for a loss), five interceptions, 39 pass breakups and two defensive touchdowns. He has drawn comparisons to Jacksonville’s A.J. Bouye by NFL.com. He’s projected as a second or third-round pick.
