Who will start alongside Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson in Carolina Panthers’ secondary?
There are plenty of position battles the Carolina Panthers will be keeping a close eye on in training camp this week.
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There’s the all-important left tackle competition. There’s the one for the starting center role. There’s also the one for wide receiver positioning on the depth chart — featuring two draft picks.
But one that might fly under the radar but absolutely shouldn’t is the competition for the Panthers’ nickel-corner spot. In other words, there’s a battle over who would be the third cornerback who would start when defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero employs a nickel package, which he’s done frequently in his three years with the Panthers.
Jaycee Horn is a two-time Pro Bowler and a lock as a starter. Mike Jackson arguably had one of the best years statistically in the NFL last year; he’s starting, too. But who will occupy the middle of the field? Will it be veteran Chau Smith-Wade? Corey Thornton? What about fourth-round pick Will Lee, or undrafted free agent DeVonta Smith?
The Charlotte Observer’s Panthers beat writers are breaking down the biggest competitions of training camp in a series called “Making The Case.” In our final installment, we ask: Who should be the favorite for CB3 in Week 1?
Let’s discuss:
I didn’t plan for it to go this way, but yes, I’ve argued for the rookies in each installment of this little series. Monroe Freeling at left tackle. Sam Hecht at center. Chris Brazzell at WR3. And now …Will Lee at nickel corner.
Will all this happen in Week 1? Probably not.
But there’s logic to each one. Just like there’s logic to taking a chance on Lee in the CB3 spot.
Fans from Texas A&M call him “The Blanket.” There’s a reason for that. During Lee’s two-year stint with the Aggies, he produced 92 tackles (2.5 for loss), a sack, 18 pass breakups and two interceptions. Draft scouts rave about his instincts in coverage, his versatility and his size. At 6-foot-1 and 189 pounds with long arms (32 3/4 inches), he’s also precisely the corner profile that has thrived in this Evero system.
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There are still questions about his ability in zone coverage. And maybe it would be safer to roll with someone who has familiarity in this specific defense, like Smith-Wade or Thornton (who ended up winning the job last year, head coach Dave Canales confirmed this summer). And DeVonta Smith is no one to overlook, either. But if Lee proves he’s as versatile as others say he is in training camp, it wouldn’t be the worst thing to get him some early reps as a starter.
And not for nothing: If an injury happens to Jackson or Horn … he might be up next on the outside. Experience early can’t hurt.
As Zietlow points out, he’s been crusading for the youngsters during this series. That’s left this beat writer with the up-and-coming and/or proven competitors in the exercise. That’s fine because this isn’t a team with low expectations anymore. They want to win now, so that outlook tends to lean toward experienced contributors.
Thornton, as referenced earlier, won the nickel job at the mid-season mark before suffering a season-ending ankle injury against the San Francisco 49ers. The second-year cornerback is healthy again, and he handled the bulk of the first-team nickel reps during OTAs and minicamp. The front office and coaching staff are both fond of the former undrafted rookie, and his veteran teammates, Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, have sung his praises since he arrived in town last year.
Thornton has limited NFL snaps at nickel and outside cornerback. But he also seems to have a ton of momentum heading into the summer workouts. Chau Smith-Wade, the primary nickel corner of the past two years, worked with the safety group during minicamp, which might signify a shift in how the team views his versatility and 2026 role. That potential move for Smith-Wade could (or should) clear a massive lane for Thornton to operate between Jackson and Horn.
It’s also worth noting that Horn moved inside at times during the spring, so that could help the secondary disguise coverage looks pre-snap with Thornton floating around the starters. Lee, as Zietlow mentioned, could be an option in that role as well with Horn moving to nickel in specific packages.
Smith is one of the few undrafted rookies with a clear shot at a 53-man roster. He’s a natural nickel defender with a notable college pedigree as a former Alabama and Notre Dame defensive back. However, he’s more likely to man a backup spot than a starter role as a rookie. That said, Thornton took a similar rookie path last year, so maybe Smith is worth keeping an eye on after all.
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Vote below for who you think will win the starting job in 2025.
