When it comes to cornerbacks, the Carolina Panthers like two types.

They want their outside guys to be lanky with long arms. And at this year's combine, no corner out measured James Bradberry and Daryl Worley, who each came in at 6-foot-1 with 33 and 3/8 arms.

Then there was Zack Sanchez, who was two inches shorter in each category. But the Panthers believe he has a skill that isn't necessarily measurable.

"He has those instincts," Bené Benwikere said Saturday, a couple hours after Sanchez picked off his first pass as a pro. "I think that's what the Panthers do a good job in drafting."

Benwikere would know. After he had measured 5-foot-11 with 30-inch arms at the 2014 combine, the Panthers figured the ball hawk would be a good fit in the slot.

That's their second type. Guys who won't wow you with their size, but who always seem to be around the football.

"I think that's my gift," said Sanchez, whose interception came courtesy of a tipped pass by linebacker A.J. Klein.

While Sanchez's frame was concerning to some scouts, the Panthers focused on his production. In three seasons at Oklahoma, he had 15 picks, including seven last year. So even though he never played nickel in college, Sanchez was moved inside when he came to Carolina.

That made his preseason debut in Baltimore a bit more challenging. Sanchez played a quarter and a half on the outside, where he was admittedly "a little rusty."

Against the Titans, he was back at nickel, where he was active and comfortable except for one glaring mistake.

With Tennessee at the Panthers' 23-yard line, Sanchez broke hard to cover receiver Harry Douglas, who appeared to be on out route. But when Douglas ran to the corner, he had bought himself enough space to catch a perfect pass from quarterback Marcus Mariota.

When Sanchez came to the sideline, Benwikere was there with feedback. But the rookie already knew what went wrong.

"The fact that he was able to do that and understand what he did and how to do it better the next time, I think that's going to help us in the long run," said Benwikere, who on Saturday showed he's still the Panthers' best corner option in the slot.

Making his first start since he broke his leg eight months ago, Benwikere had an interception and a sack in just 15 snaps. That's the kind of ball-hawking production the Panthers hope will rub off on Sanchez.

"To see Bené set that tone was good. It helped me out a lot, seeing him make plays," Sanchez said. "He does a good job of being around the ball. I think that's how we're so similar — we're both around the ball and we both make plays.

"It's good to be learning under him."