49ers Cornerback Target No. 3: Donte Jackson, Panthers
It doesn’t seem likely the Carolina Panthers have plans to retain 26-year-old cornerback Donte Jackson in 2022, especially after making in-season deals for veteran corners C.J. Henderson and Stephon Gilmore, the latter also a free agent who is looking to come back from injury.
Additionally, Carolina used a first-round NFL Draft pick on cornerback Jaycee Horn, making Jackson all the more expendable this offseason.
True, it would be a bit of a risk for the 49ers to target Jackson as a free agent, especially after he landed on season-ending injured reserve with a groin injury. And Jackson has missed games every year since his rookie campaign in 2018 after being drafted in Round 2 out of LSU.
Yet Jackson has been something of a turnover generator, though, notching 12 interceptions over his four-year career to go along with 38 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
Primarily a zone-cover defensive back, Jackson allowed opposing quarterbacks a passer rating of 86.5 when targeting him this season before his groin injury.
If he was to stay healthy, the Niners should surely have interest.