The Carolina Panthers are facing a potential shake-up in their secondary, with cornerback Mike Jackson's future hanging in the balance. Coming off a standout season where he allowed just a 56% completion rate and a passer rating of 75, Jackson has certainly made his case as a key player. However, with his contract set to expire after this season and Jackson turning 30 in January, the Panthers have some decisions to make.
The Panthers have already invested heavily in Jaycee Horn, which might make them hesitant to offer Jackson the lucrative extension he’ll likely seek. Should they decide not to extend his contract, Jackson will enter free agency in 2027, leaving a significant gap in their defense.
Looking ahead, the 2027 NFL Draft could be a crucial opportunity for Carolina to fill that void. According to Ethan Woodie's latest mock draft for NFL Trade Rumors, the Panthers might set their sights on Georgia's Ellis Robinson with the No. 9 pick.
Robinson, who became a starter in 2025, brings a lot to the table despite being slightly undersized for a corner drafted this high. His knack for ball production is evident, boasting four interceptions last season, along with seven passes defensed and 20 tackles over 14 games.
Robinson has demonstrated versatility, earning solid grades of 68.3 in coverage and 74.9 in run defense, according to Pro Football Focus. This suggests he can handle various responsibilities on the field. However, with only one year of starting experience, Robinson still has plenty to prove to solidify his status as a top-10 draft pick.
Standing at 6 feet and clocking a 4.48-second 40-yard dash, Robinson has the height and speed that teams covet. Yet, his 180-pound frame raises questions about his ability to match up physically with bigger receivers.
As the Panthers weigh their options, Robinson could very well be on their radar. Whether they target him in the first round or later will depend on how the draft landscape unfolds and how Robinson continues to develop. For now, Carolina's focus will be on making the most of Jackson's talents this season and preparing for the potential changes ahead.
In Other News...
Panthers May Already Have A New Problem At Center
The Panthers went into the offseason trying to stabilize the middle of their offensive line, signing Luke Fortner in free agency after Cade Mays left for Detroit. Then they added more competition by taking Sam Hecht in the fifth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, and now the center picture has changed quickly enough that Fortner is no longer looking like a clear placeholder.
Dave Canales has already made it clear that Hecht has a strong chance to push his way into the starting lineup, which would leave Fortner in a precarious spot after arriving as the presumed answer at center. It is a reminder that Carolinas roster math at the position is still very much in motion, and the Panthers may not know until later how much value they really got from that free-agent move. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers May Already Be Near A Shocking Call On Recent Bet
Xavier Legettes path has gotten much tougher as Carolina keeps reshaping its pass-catching group, and the wideout who once looked like part of the answer now finds himself fighting to stay relevant in a crowded competition. The Panthers have added more options around him, and the pressure is squarely on Legette to show he belongs in the mix as roster decisions start to sharpen.
Bobby Brown III is in a different spot, but the questions are similar. The defensive lineman has not delivered the kind of return Carolina hoped for after signing him to a multi-year deal, and while the Panthers are willing to listen if a team comes calling, the contract makes any move complicated. Even so, with the roster still taking shape, both players feel like part of the same larger conversation about how aggressive Carolina wants to be in trimming its recent bets. [Read more 🡒]
Panthers Rookie Receiver Is Giving Fans A Reason To Hope Again
Chris Brazzell II has spent the spring and minicamp turning a third-round pick into one of the more intriguing names in Carolinas receiver room. With the Panthers still trying to build reliable depth behind Tetairoa McMillan, the rookie has stood out enough that Bryce Young has taken notice, and the early buzz around Brazzell is tied as much to how hes handled the details as to anything flashy.
Brazzell is slated to open as Carolinas No. 4 wideout, which means there is still a clear path in front of him if he keeps stacking good days. For a team that has been searching for more help at receiver, the appeal is obvious: a young player who looks comfortable in a pro-style system and is already earning trust by showing he can get the fundamentals right. The next step is turning that promise into actual playing time. [Read more 🡒]