CHARLOTTE – The Panthers made another significant addition at a position of need, as they continue an offseason trend of bolstering their defense.
The team on Wednesday agreed to terms with cornerback A.J. Bouye.
The 29-year-old Bouye will give them another reliable cover player opposite Donte Jackson, along with previous signing Rashaan Melvin.
Bouye won't be eligible for the first two games of the season as he finishes up a suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances last year, meaning the Panthers will still be shorthanded in September. But with the schedule expanding to 17 games, that leaves 15 in which he could make a significant difference to a defense short on experience. He's still able to participate fully in any offseason program, training camp, and preseason games.
Bouye started his career as an undrafted rookie with the Texans, but grew into a productive starter there. That earned him a free agent payday with the Jaguars in 2017, as he signed a five-year, $67.5 million deal to jump across the division in free agency.
He paid immediate dividends, with six interceptions that year, as teams generally tried to avoid his teammate Jalen Ramsey. Creating turnovers like that was a big part of why the Jaguars advanced to the AFC Championship Game.
Jacksonville traded Bouye to Denver last March, but the Broncos released him for cap reasons this spring.
He's started 69 games in his career, and has 14 career interceptions (including one off new teammate Sam Darnold in 2019).
As general manager Scott Fitterer explained Monday after trading for Darnold, the goal of every offseason is to have as many blanks filled in on the depth chart prior to the draft, so you're not drafting to fill a specific position.
"What we wanted to do going into this draft, through free agency, through this trade with Sam, was to just get rid of all the needs we have," Fitterer said. "We wanted to get to a place where the roster was in a good spot, and we could take the best available player at number eight.
"We could always move up, and we could always move back, but this puts us in a position to make the right football decision for this team moving forward."
Bouye is another step in that direction, leaving defensive tackle as one of the few glaring spots of need on the roster.
View photos of cornerback A.J. Bouye through the years with Houston, Jacksonville and Denver.
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) celebrates a defensive stand against the Indianapolis Colts during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Gary McCullough)
Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) is congratulated by Antonio Smith (94) and J.J. Watt during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Saturday, Dec. 24, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) stands on the sidelines during anthem before the first half of an AFC Wild Card NFL game between the Houston Texans and the Oakland Raiders, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper (89) drops a pass against Houston Texans' A.J. Bouye (21) during the second half of an AFC Wild Card NFL game Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Jacksonville Jaguars' A.J. Bouye reacts after he made an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Jacksonville Jaguars' A.J. Bouye celebrates his interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) breaks up a pass intended for Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Sammy Watkins (12) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2017, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Rams won 27-17. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye , right, intercepts a pass intended for Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin (12) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) intercepts a pass intended for Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Travis Benjamin (12) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2017, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) intercepts the ball intended for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Corey Coleman (19) in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) celebrates after his team recovered a fumble in the second half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Ron Schwane)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (21) can't hold onto a pass on with Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) defending during the second half of an NFL divisional football AFC playoff game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018. The Jaguars won 45-41. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) celebrates a big play against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) encourages fans in the stands during the first half of an NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye runs to cover a play against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) on the field during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Chiefs defeated the Jaguars 40-26. (AP Photo/Perry Knotts)
FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019 file photo,Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) on the field during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Jacksonville, Fla. Defensive backs AJ Bouye and Johnathan Joseph will to use the Jaguars-Texans game in London on Nov. 3, 2019 to raise awareness of the fight against cancer. Bouye and Joseph, who have both lost parents to cancer, will donate their tickets to a lucky fan in an effort to raise more awareness for the NFL's Crucial Catch's mission. (AP Photo/Perry Knotts, File)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) follows a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) follows a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans Thursday, Sept. 19, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) runs onto the field during player introductions before an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) sets up for a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye, right, intercepts a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Vyncint Smith (17) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) in action during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Ronald Jones (27) runs the ball while being tackled by Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Stephen B. Morton)
FILE - In this Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019 file photo,Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) on the field during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Jacksonville, Fla. Newly acquired cornerback A.J. Bouye learned quite a bit from Chris Harris Jr. He will now be stepping in for the Denver Broncos defensive back. Bouye was acquired in a recent deal with Jacksonville. (AP Photo/Perry Knotts, File)
Denver Broncos cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) signals a missed field goal as Tennessee Titans kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) watches the ball miss the uprights during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) defends on the play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Oct.. 25, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/Justin Edmonds)
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) tries to catch a pass as Denver Broncos cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) defends in the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
En foto del 22 de noviembre del 2020, el cornerback de los Broncos de Denver A.J. Bouye celebra en el juego ante los Dolphins de Miami. el miércoles 9 de diciembre del 2020 Bouye fue suspendidos seis encuentros por violar as políticas de sustancias para mejorar el rendimiento. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos cornerback A.J. Bouye takes the field for the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (34) celebrates after returning and interception for a touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)
Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (34) celebrates after returning and interception for a touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)
Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (34) hits Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tre McBride (16) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015, in Nashville, Tenn. The Texans won 34-6. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) reacts after breaking up a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (34) returns an interception against the Tennessee Titans during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014, in Houston. The Texans won 45-21. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) intercepts the ball in front of Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin (89) an NFL football game on Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Jacksonville, Fla. (NFL Photos via AP)
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) catch a pass for a touchdown over Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (34) during the first half of an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015.(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (21) breaks up a pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
Houston Texans defenders Quintin Demps (27) and A.J. Bouye, left, break up a pass intended for New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2015, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (34) heads to the end zone past Philadelphia Eagles offensive tackle Lane Johnson, left, and wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, right, after intercepting a pass and running it back for a touchdown during the first quarter of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/Patric Schneider)
Houston Texans cornerback A.J. Bouye (34) talks with referee Ed Hochuli (85) before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns Sunday, Nov. 16, 2014, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Houston Texans' A.J. Bouye (34) makes an interception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Dec. 20, 2015, in Indianapolis. Houston won 16-10. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
