Way too early four-round Carolina Panthers 2022 NFL mock draft
By Dean Jones
Kyle Hamilton – S (Notre Dame)
It was something of a surprise that the Carolina Panthers didn’t address the safety position with any of their 11 selections during the 2021 NFL Draft. Perhaps the coaching staff is hoping Juston Burris can improve his level of consistency with Jeremy Chinn alongside him on the backend, but a contingency plan needs to be in place if things don’t work out as expected.
That plan might be Kyle Hamilton.
The Notre Dame defensive back has everything one looks for in a potential stud at the next level. His athleticism is off the charts and Hamilton also has the sort of ball skills that are normally associated with a productive NFL cornerback.
Not only this, Hamilton has the size to get physical and wraps up players well in the open field. He is a high-energy player that is expected to be a top-15 pick next spring with another strong campaign, so whether the Panthers will be in a position to acquire the prospect remains to be seen.
If a chance does present itself, Carolina shouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger. Partnering someone like Hamilton with Chinn has the scope to be a dominant safety tandem that can anchor Carolina secondary for a decade.
Whether this is going to be their top priority will depend on how the offensive line holds up and whether Sam Darnold can thrive in a new system. But adding Hamilton would be a tremendous move at this juncture.