The Panthers add former first-round NFL draft picks to the active roster to start Week 12

The Carolina Panthers are back in the office today after a week off. The front office has already been busy this morning, calling up a former first-round NFL draft pick to add to their cornerback depth heading into a huge game. According to a report by Adam Schefter at ESPNPanthers sign practice squad cornerback Caleb Farley to the active list.

Farley had been elevated from the practice squad three times this season, the maximum allowed for a player on the practice squad. So to keep him around, Carolina had to sign him to the active roster. So far this season, Farley has seen 52 snaps, 29 on defense and 23 on special teams. He has collected four tackles. For what it’s worth PFF has graded him out at a fairly average 59.8 overall.

Looking ahead, it’s unlikely Farley will crack the starting lineup anytime soon, but there could be an opening if the Panthers continue to underperform in the field. While Mike Jackson and Jaycee Horn are holding it down on the perimeter, Carolina hasn’t gotten quality play from a number of players in the nickel.

Since cutting veteran Troy Hill, they’ve tried rookie Chau Smith-Wade, but he’s currently the team’s lowest-rated starter on defense at 36.5 overall, including a 30.9 grade in coverage. Dane Jackson also spent time in the slot against the New York Giants, but he it didn’t go much betterand received a grade of 39.9 for his effort.

Farley is a borderline corner, but it might be worth a try to see if he can put something better on film than what the Panthers have gotten for nickel so far. Otherwise, don’t expect to see much of him on the field barring an injury to another corner.

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