The 2022 NFL Draft has officially kicked off, and the Carolina Panthers have made their first selection. As the seven rounds progress and the team makes all of their picks, we will provide a live draft grade and analysis for each of the Panthers’ selections. How do these new prospects fit with the roster, what kind of impact will they have on the team, and what do the team’s needs look like now that the draft is complete?
Make sure to continue to check back as the 2022 NFL Draft continues for live Carolina Panthers draft grades and analysis.
Carolina Panthers grades for 2022 NFL Draft
What are the Panthers’ grades for their selections in the 2022 NFL Draft as they look to address their main needs this offseason?
Round 1, Pick 6: Ikem Ekwonu, OT, NC State
The Carolina Panthers make an easy selection with the sixth overall pick as NC State OT Ikem Ekwonu becomes the new face of their offensive line. A large man with a larger presence, Ekwonu wowed viewers and scouts with his play in 2021. It’s hard to imagine that just nine months ago, it was unclear whether Ekwonu would be able to maintain his tackle position in the NFL.
Fast forward to Round 1 of the 2022 NFL Draft, and Ekwonu is not only the first offensive lineman off the board but the first offensive player taken overall. Ekwonu’s linear growth in 2021 is only matched by his technical skill and ferocious attitude. His terrific run blocking routinely allows him to pancake defenders 10 yards downfield, while his sound pass-blocking skills will keep Sam Darnold (for now) clean from pressure all the same. Ekwonu not only presents great value, but he also fills a huge need for Carolina.
Grade: B+
Round 3, Pick 94: Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
Well, it took longer than we all anticipated, but the Carolina Panthers got their quarterback of the future. Instead of spending the No. 6 overall pick on a quarterback, Matt Corral lands at No. 94 after Carolina traded up with the Patriots for the selection. Corral models his game after Aaron Rodgers, and he has the release and all-platform throwing ability similar to Rodgers.
He’s never out of a play. His athleticism allows him to maneuver the pocket with ease and find open throwing lanes from inside or outside the structure. Corral has a great arm, but the simplified offense at Ole Miss will have to be shaken and he’ll have to prove he can deliver accurate passes from inside a pocket without the aid of play action or RPOs.
Grade: A-
Round 4, Pick 120: Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State
Once considered a potential early-round selection, Brandon Smith’s stock appears to have soured somewhat during the 2021 college football season. He certainly lacks an element of consistency, not always living up to his very best on the field. That’s particularly disappointing because when he is at his best, Smith is an exceptional athlete with speed and explosion, evident in the way that he can demolish opposing backfields. He also displays excellent strength and coverage ability as a potential every-down player. He must play with more consistency and improve his timing and technique as a tackler to maximize his next-level potential.
Grade: B+
Round 6, Pick 189: Amaré Barno, EDGE, Virginia Tech
The later rounds are a great place to bank on traits. There’s very little downside for each late-round pick, but the right gamble can pay off big time. The Panthers likely had that thought process when selecting Amaré Barno out of Virginia Tech. If you’re looking for upside, Barno has it. He’s almost 6’5”, 246 pounds, with 34” arms. Even at that size, he has 4.36 speed and elite explosiveness.
That said, Barno is a pure finesse player right now, and he’s not very refined in any aspect. He’s not strong, he doesn’t convert speed to power well, and his hands are unrefined. If he can be coached up, Barno has a ton of potential. But his floor is fairly low right now.
Grade: B
Round 6, Pick 199: Cade Mays, G, Tennessee
Even after selecting Ikem Ekwonu, the Panthers’ offensive line could use some fine-tuning. You’re only going to do so much with a sixth-round pick, more often than not. But Tennessee’s Cade Mays is a solid addition this late.
Most importantly, Mays brings great projected versatility as a depth piece. He has starting experience at tackle, but he translates best on the interior with his powerful hands and mauler mentality. Mays can be a little stiff at times, and he’ll lurch and lose his balance when his punches miss. Still, he provides solid depth for Carolina at the very least.
Grade: B
Round 7, Pick 242: Kalon Barnes, CB, Baylor
If speed kills, then someone better put out an arrest warrant for Baylor CB Kalon Barnes. After blowing the doors off the NFL Combine with a frankly ludicrous 4.23-second 40-yard dash, the Baylor prospect received significant attention prior to the NFL Draft. The straight-line speed is apparent on his tape, and he puts it to good use in recovery.
Also boasting impressive length, Barnes ticks boxes for excellent CB play. However, he needs to play with more consistency, and there’s a lack of strength evident in his game. Furthermore, his technique is a work in progress. Nonetheless, it’s a solid pickup for the Carolina Panthers late on Day 3.
Grade: B
What were the Panthers’ biggest needs entering the draft?
- QB, OT, G, C, WR
The Sam Darnold experiment did not work in 2022, and with no addition so far this offseason, quarterback remains a major question for Matt Rhule and the Panthers. After focusing heavily on defense in recent years, the offense has to take precedence across the rest of the offseason.
The Panthers need to solidify the line in front of whoever is at QB, and there remain questions at wide receiver. Carolina’s offensive line depth chart could potentially look very different between now and the start of the 2022 season.