Carolina Panthers add five cornerbacks to the depth chart following initial 53-man release

The Carolina Panthers and GM Dan Morgan have stayed true to their word of using the waiver wire to improve the roster. Cornerback has been a question mark since day one. With their very first opportunity they made a splash, claiming six players, three of which happen to play in the secondary.

The most in demand of those defensive backs, was Shemar Bartholomew. Bartholomew was claimed by four different NFL teams, which should say enough about how well Shemar handled himself in his first training camp, undrafted, none the less.

At 6'1" and 200 lbs Bartholomew is a ballhawk who totaled 34 PDs and 10 interceptions in college. He finished ninth in the country in pass break-ups last season while playing at Georgia Southern. He has played exclusively outside cornerback, lining up close to the line of scrimmage, in press position.

Bartholomew’s 36-inch vertical, and 4.45 speed has played well so far as he was a standout at Jets camp. He has displayed good coverage skills, above average hands, with excellent ball skills, and shown to be a solid tackler. He allowed zero receiving yards on nine targets during the preseason. Forcing one incompletion, and allowing a 39.6 passer rating. Shemar was graded by Pro Football Focus with an overall grade of 87 during the preseason. He was well balanced, as both his run defense grade (82.5), and his coverage grade (85.2), were above average.

Bartholomew will wear number 27 and is excited to be in Charlotte. When asked to describe his game, he replied, “Physical, can run, you know love to ball. I’m just happy to be here.” Bartholomew has the makings of a complete corner and the kind of player the Carolina Panthers need.

Carolina also added cornerback Keenan Isaac. Isaac is a long DB at 6'3" and flashed for the Buccaneers during the preseason like Bartholomew. PFF graded Isaac 85.9. Tariq Castro-Fields is the third corner added during the initial waiver claim after he was released from Washington. Castro-Fields is another 6'1" CB who was a 6th-round pick from Penn State. He can play special teams and PFF graded him 75.5.

The Panthers also added veteran Lonnie Johnson Jr. to the practice squad after he was released by the Texans. PFF graded him a 75. Not to mention the trade for Mike Jackson (70.5) from Seattle. The cornerback room is much more physical, and that is a good thing.

No one else in the cornerback room stepped up, besides perhaps Lamar Jackson, who Pro Football Focus graded at 79.1, after Dane Jackson went down. These recent moves became a necessity. At least from a standpoint of length and athleticism the cornerback room continues to grow and evolve. Only time will tell if Bartholomew and company will make an impact, but having more length, athleticism, and a well-balanced secondary never hurts.

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