Cornerback Mike Jackson was one of the few bright spots on defense for the 2024 Carolina Panthers. After spending most of the offseason with the Seattle Seahawks, the Panthers acquired the cornerback just before the season in exchange for rookie linebacker Michael Barrett. This trade paid dividends, as the former fifth-round pick provided starting-caliber play for pennies on the dollar.
Starting and appearing in all 17 games, Jackson finished the season with two interceptions, 17 passes defended, 76 tackles, and a 68.0 PFF grade, the 42nd-best mark of 118 eligible players. While he won’t enter the Hall of Fame, he’s a starting-caliber cornerback who should receive a raise as a free agent. Spotrac expects Jackson to receive a three-year, $23 million deal on the open market.
The Carolina Panthers desperately need help on defense, so perhaps they spend up for Mike Jackson. However, the team only has $20.8 million in projected cap space, and they might decide to use that money on the front seven. If Jackson departs for greener pastures, don’t be surprised if he lands with the New Orleans Saints or Baltimore Ravens.
Saints, Ravens Could Take Impending Free Agent Mike Jackson From Panthers
Nobody knows how the New Orleans Saints will approach the offseason under presumed head coach Kellen Moore. On the one hand, the team is $54 million over the projected salary cap, is low on talent, and most of the good players they do have are on the wrong side of 30. This team is long overdue for a rebuild, and perhaps New Orleans finally bites the bullet and accepts that one or two bad years must happen to reset the payroll.
Perhaps the 2024 season was the straw that broke the camel’s back, but General Manager Mickey Loomis does not believe in rebuilding. If he wants to try and keep this team afloat, the first thing he must do is address the cornerback position. With Marshon Lattimore in Washington and impending free agent Paulson Adebo expected to receive a massive contract, the Saints must find a cost-effective starter opposite second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry. Mike Jackson won’t break the bank, and stealing him from a division rival in the Panthers should be an added bonus.
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The Baltimore Ravens have two reliable cornerbacks under contract in veteran Marlon Humphrey and 2024 first-round pick Nate Wiggins. While these two are enough to slow down most passing attacks, you can’t have too many good defensive backs when you share a division with Joe Burrow and a conference with Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Justin Herbert. The Ravens don’t need a lockdown cornerback by any stretch of the imagination, but they could use a reliable third option.
Mike Jackson is perfect for this role, as the Panthers free agent could help form one of the NFL’s deepest secondaries. Baltimore knew they needed another cornerback when they traded for Tre’Davious White, but the once-great cornerback didn’t have anything left in his tank. Jackson can start out wide opposite Wiggins, allowing Humphrey to play in the slot against three-receiver looks. With teams throwing the ball more than ever, Jackson’s presence could be the difference between a few close wins and losses.
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