Here at Cat Scratch Reader we have counted down the final 100 days leading up to the Carolina Panthers season opener by for at least the past ten years. We’ve always done this by highlighting the current player on the roster whose jersey number matches the day on the countdown. This year, we decided to change that up a bit by counting down our own list of the Top 100 Panthers of all time. This does not correspond to jersey number, does not need to be somebody who wore a jersey, and will in no way be controversial.
#61. Donte Jackson
Former LSU defensive standout Donte Jackson was taken 55th overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2018 NFL Draft. As a second round pick, he was expected to contribute right away. Jackson proved to be one of Marty Hurney’s few non-first round picks to work out, starting all 16 games for the Panthers his rookie year. Though he lacked the prototypical size at just 5’10” and 180 lbs, he had that dawg mentality and the athleticism to stick with almost anyone. Jackson filled up the stat sheet his rookie year: nabbing four interceptions, defending nine passes, forcing a fumble, and even notching a sack. Jackson’s quality play continued throughout his four year rookie deal, and he was rewarded with a three year, $35.1 million with the Panthers.
Unfortunately for Jackson (and the Panthers), injuries hit in the very first year of that new contract. He had an ankle injury that sidelined him in Week 8, but returned the following game. In Week 10, he tore his Achilles on a Thursday night against the Atlanta Falcons, ending his season with just nine games played. That injury was just one exclamation point on a disappointing season that saw the firing of Matt Rhule, the Christian McCaffrey trade, and a quarterback carousel that included Baker Mayfield, Sam Darnold, and PJ Walker. The new regime in 2023 under Dave Canales used Jackson a ton on defense, and he started all 16 games logging 91% of the defensive snaps on a less-than-stellar defense. He failed to make an interception and had a career worst passer rating against of 107.7, leading to the Panthers moving on.
Jackson was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers that offseason with a sixth round pick for Diontae Johnson and a seventh round pick. That pick by the Panthers was linebacker Michael Barrett, who was subsequently traded to the Seattle Seahawks for Mike Jackson, who has been damn good in Carolina. Donte Jackson started all 15 games he played in for the Steelers in 2024 and signed a two year, $13 million contract with the Los Angeles Chargers. He returned to his high quality performance in LA last year, with four interceptions, 12 passed defended, and an absurd 56.8 passer rating against. Still only 30 years old, Jackson could very well continue his elevated play for several years.
Could a reunion in Carolina be down the road? Who knows? I’m sure neither side would hate the idea, and the fans would welcome him back with open arms. Jackson’s consistently good performance over his six seasons in Carolina (even when the team was bad), combined with him being a fan favorite, earned Action Jackson the No. 61 spot on our countdown of the Top 100 Panthers.
