The Carolina Panthers ended up having a tough 2021 season after things started off so promisingly. The Panthers jumped out to a 3-0 record, but more injuries and ineffective quarterback play torpedoed that great start. Now, their attention is shifting to fresh agency and the 2022 NFL Draft.
Once Christian McCaffrey went down with injuries for the second straight season, the offense fell out of sync. Sam Darnold began reverting to the form he showed for three seasons with the New York Jets and things became ugly on offense.
Cam Newton returned to the team following an injury to Darnold but he was unable to save a sinking ship. The Panthers finished the season 5-13 and in dead last in the NFC South. After how great things started, landing the No. 6 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft is a bit of a surprise.
After spending a large portion of their draft capital on the defensive side of the ball the last two seasons, it could be time to start addressing the offense. There are plenty of holes that need to be filled, so Carolina needs to hit on their first-round pick.
Being without a second and third-round pick because of the Darnold and CJ Henderson trades, the Panthers must knock the No. 6 overall pick out of the park. Who could the team target? Here are three early prospects that Carolina should have in their crosshairs.
3. QB Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh
Figuring out the quarterback position is likely the No. 1 task for the Carolina Panthers this season. Unfortunately for them, there is no slam dunk, great talent that can step into the starting role right away and succeed as in recent seasons.
If the Panthers go the quarterback route, the player they select will need some refining. That isn’t the worst thing for Carolina, as Sam Darnold will likely be back as the team’s starter next season. However, do they want to start the clock on a first-round rookie knowing they are spending $18.9 million on Darnold in 2022?
Kenny Pickett is the player listed, but Matt Corral could also be in play. The Panthers are likely the first team on the board that could take the plunge on a quarterback.
2. DE George Karlaftis, Purdue
The Carolina Panthers have an excellent pass rusher in Brian Burns. They got him some help this season, signing Hassan Riddick in free agency. The move paid off big time, as Riddick led the team with 12.5 sacks.
However, Riddick is re-entering free agency this offseason. Will the Panthers be able to lock him into a long-term deal? If not the Panthers need some more pass-rushing so that teams cannot focus all their attention on stopping Burns.
The Panthers are out of range for the top pass rushers in Aidan Hutchinson and Keyvon Thibodeaux, but that can still land an impact prospect in George Karlaftis out of Purdue. Karlaftis is more athletic than people give him credit for and could provide the Panthers with a bookend for Burns for years to come.
It would be a little surprising if Carolina went defense again, but it could be difficult to pass on Karlaftis depending on how the board shakes out ahead of Carolina.
1. OT Charles Cross, Texas A&M
Arguably the biggest need for the Carolina Panthers heading into the offseason is the offensive line. Long-term they need a quarterback, but they know that Sam Darnold will likely be under center Week 1. Protecting him to see if he can produce should be near the top of the team’s to-do list.
Luckily for the Panthers, there are several prospects near the top of the 2022 NFL Draft board that will fit a need and presents good value at the No. 6 spot. One of the players likeliest to be available is Charles Cross out of Texas A&M.
Cross was excellent in 2021, turning in an 86.7 overall grade, scoring an 84.9 as a pass blocker and 87.2 run-blocking grade. He played left tackle for the Aggies, so the Panthers can plug him in there right away or start him at right tackle and eventually transition him over.
Cross would instantly improve the Panthers in both areas, as they struggled in both pass and run blocking in 2021. Their quarterback play may have been underwhelming, but part of the struggles could have been the line’s inability to block for them.
