In this series, I preview each of the Carolina Panthers’ 2017 draft picks and how I believe they can contribute in their rookie year. So far I have covered Christian McCaffrey, Curtis Samuel, Taylor Moton and Daeshon Hall. Today, I will be covering the Panthers fifth round pick, a cornerback out of Miami, Corn Elder. I’ll likely make some corny jokes, so just bear with me.
| Combine | Statistics | 2016 Season | Statistics |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age | 22 | Tackles | 76 |
| Height | 5’10” | Missed Tackles | 4 |
| Weight | 183 lbs | Stops | 33 |
| Hand Size | 8.75 in | Rec/Tar* | 37/62 |
| Vert. | 35 in | Yards Allowed | 355 |
| Broad | 116 in | TDs Allowed | 2 |
| 40-Yard | 4.49s | Interceptions | 1 |
| 10-Yard | 1.6s | Passes Defended | 5 |
| pSPARQ(NFL %) | 107(16.1%) |
* Receptions Allowed / Targets
2017 Role
In 2016, the slot/nickel cornerback role was the weakest position on the Panthers defense. While the nickelback is not technically a starting position, in the pass-happy NFL (especially the NFC South), many consider the nickel “subpackage” with five or more defensive backs the new NFL base defense. The Panthers play their nickel back so much (primary slot back Leonard Johnson played more than 40% of snaps last season) that finding a long term solution for the position was a top priority, signing Captain Munnerlyn in free agency as well as drafting Miami defender Corn Elder.
Captain Munnerlyn will be the starting nickel throughout 2016 and Corn Elder’s role will likely depend on his elder’s health (Editor’s Note: Who had money on the first pun involving Elder and not on Corn?). If Munnerlyn can stay healthy, then Elder’s role will be centered around giving Munnerlyn rest throughout the game, as the Panthers play a lot of nickel defense facing the high-powered NFC South passing offenses. However, if Munnerlyn or either starting cornerback is injured, then Elder will become an integral part to the Panthers defense.
Pass Coverage Impact
When Elder is on the field the Panthers will likely play primarily zone based coverage to mask Elder’s lack of blazing speed. Elder possesses a phenomenal ability to recognize plays before the snap and utilizes it to make plays behind the line of scrimmage. He does a great job of reading the quarterback and loves to make plays on the ball, but sometimes his aggressive nature gets the best of him; usually this comes in man coverage where he bites on double moves and pump fakes leaving his man wide open. Of course, sometimes it results in him being at the perfect place at the perfect time.
In 2017, when Elder is on the field he will play with similar fire, instincts and intelligence to Captain Munnerlyn and will help the Panthers secondary tremendously. However, he likely won’t impact the passing defense too much due to Munnerlyn being in front of him on the depth chart, supplanting Elder in most passing situations.
Run Defense Impact
Taking into account that head coach Ron Rivera tends to test their young talent against run plays before they put them in passing situations and Munnerlyn is almost thirty, Elder is more likely to see snaps as a run defender than in pass coverage. Thankfully, Elder was a good run defender at Miami and his abilities should translate to the NFL. Corn does a great job of squaring up, cutting off angles and wrapping up as a tackler and has the pop to stop a rusher in his tracks. Most of the concern about Elder’s run defense stems from the fact that sometimes he gets caught up beating his blocker. However, the more you watch him play the more you realize that he is focused on getting to the rusher and does a great job of shedding blockers and at least slowing the rusher down.
Conclusion
If the Panthers hadn’t signed Captain Munnerlyn, I believe Elder would have started at nickel in his rookie year. He fits the scheme perfectly and is the exact type of player the Panthers need on the inside of the secondary. The fact that he will be able to rotate in and learn from Captain Munnerlyn is fantastic, and while Elder likely won’t see a lot of playing time in 2016 he will help create consistency in the secondary and allow the Panthers to be more creative on the defensive side of the ball.
