After a whirlwind of expected news on the free agent front Tuesday morning, the Panthers finally made some noise midday, agreeing to terms with former Washington cornerback Bashaud Breeland, a South Carolina native and Clemson grad, on a three-year, $24m ($11m guaranteed) deal with the Panthers when free agency officially opens on Wednesday. Breeland is expected to start across the field from James Bradberry, likely becoming an immediate replacement to the recently traded Daryl Worley in this week’s deal to land WR Torrey Smith. This is the first news of an addition to the roster in the free agency period for a Panthers team that has been historically quiet out of the gate.
After his sophomore season, Breeland was ranked as the number one CB in run defense by Pro Football Focus.
Breeland also ranked 18th in the NFL in passer rating and eighth in completion rate in 2018 while tallying eight interceptions and 60 passes defensed in his first four seasons with Washington, where he spent time across from former Panthers CB Josh Norman. Adding a defensive back who can play both man and zone well opposite third-year corner Bradberry was definitely a priority before heading into the NFL draft for Marty Hurney and the Panthers who now would be expected to focus on the offensive side of the ball as they head into draft weekend.
Between Breeland, Bradberry and third-year player Kevon Seymour, the Panthers now have a young core in the defensive secondary that will also include Cole Luke and Corn Elder, two rookies that spent all of 2017 on injured reserve. Ron Rivera and the rest of the Panthers’ coaching staff are hopeful this young group can compete with the NFC South’s stable of high-octane passing games.
“I’m excited to have those guys back on the field for us,” Rivera said in Indianapolis earlier this month. “Demetrious Cox, another young guy at safety is another guy that will be coming off of injured reserve, so we’ve got a lot of young corners and safeties that we’ve got to see if they can step up to the challenge.”
Add Basaud Breeland to that group.
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