The True Battle: Who’s The Nickel?
While Ross Cockrell seems more suited for the outside than a slot corner, the Panthers will likely utilize a rotation of the 27-year old who broke his leg during training camp last season, Kevon Seymour, who had double shoulder surgery and also sat out the season, and Corn Elder, who was baptized into the NFL by Russell Wilson when he had to relieve Donte Jackson in Week 12, during training camp to decide who is best suited for the nickel cornerback position – and that’s without the possibility of Rashaan Gaulden moving into the slot position.
Seymour and Elder have experience in the slot and likely have the speed that the Panthers favor there, but the idea of a rotation at inside corner depending on the matchup, something Vincent Richardson explored earlier this month and both Marty Hurney and Ron Rivera spoke about last season when they thought they’d have this group – Jackson, Bradberry, Seymour, Cockrell and Elder – to utilize throughout the season.
Camp injuries to Seymour and Cockrell changed those plans in 2018, but the question of who will get the majority of the snaps at nickel cornerback will begin to be answered in Spartanburg.
Nickel Questions, Continued: Outside Chances
Don’t rule out Cole Luke, who spent 2018 on the practice squad and can play both cornerback and safety, and Javien Elliott, who started five games last season in Tampa Bay – they could certainly fight their way onto the roster with quality showings during camp and the preseason. Don’t rule out the possibility of signing a free agent safety – or nickel corner – should Marty Hurney and Ron Rivera not like the way that the camp battles are shaking out.
While Corrion Ballard, Damian Parms, Kai Nacua, Quin Blanding, Josh Thornton and Lorenzo Doss will battle to make an impact during camp, they’re likely competing for a spot on the practice squad – an impressive showing could help them land one, but it would appear that Nacua might be the leader in the clubhouse at this early stage.
