8:26pm: The Panthers will have competition for Boykin’s services, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Three other teams hope to visit with the corner, Rapoport tweets.
5:04pm: Former Eagles and Steelers cornerback Brandon Boykin will take a visit outside of Pennsylvania on Monday, with the Panthers set to host the fifth-year man, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com reports.
A former fourth-round pick of the Eagles’ in 2012, Boykin played in Philadelphia for three seasons before being shipped to Pittsburgh in 2015. Boykin played in each of the Steelers’ 18 games last season but started just two.
The Panthers, however, had a patchwork secondary functioning opposite breakout sensation Josh Norman. After injuries to Bene Benwikere and Charles Tillman, Carolina had to deploy street free agents Robert McClain and Cortland Finnegan during its NFC title run.
Boykin was a key slot presence for the Eagles, notching a career-best six interceptions primarily from that position in 2013. The 25-year-old Boykin graded as the Steelers’ second-best corner, behind Ross Cockrell — according to Pro Football Focus, which rated the former Georgia corner as its No. 38 player at the position in 2015 –in his 407 snaps during the 2015 regular season and would be an upgrade outside for the Panthers.
Norman received the franchise tag but has not signed his tender and Tillman looms as a UFA and potential retirement candidate.
Photo courtesy USA Today Sports Images
I’m a little surprised there hasn’t been more interest in Boykin now that the free agent frenzy has died down. Nice player who can be a solid No. 3 corner, and a nearly perfect fit for the Panthers.
Will be biggest signing for the Panthers a top need and help for draft choices
Carolina panthers scheme is the best so if u have talent u will love it’ so he will love it” and make a home here’ plus him and Bene can play in and out so battle begins’ young, fast and top of the line talent for the first time throughout the Secondary….
I sort of wish the Steelers would bring him back. He could definitely contribute to their secondary
Panthers could indeed have a strong top 3 if they are able to land Boykin, once Benwikere returns. Them going 17-2 with borderline replacement-level corners at Nos. 2-3 was an under-appreciated achievement.
The Steelers secondary was terrible last year and they’ll probably draft a corner in the 1st round, which they rarely ever do, so deciding not to bring Boykin back is pretty telling. 3rd most yards given up per game through the air.