Carolina Panthers full 7-round 2022 NFL mock draft ahead of Week 1

Elijah Cooks – WR (Nevada)

The Carolina Panthers have a strong wide receiver room that could have another potential star in Terrace Marshall Jr. Robby Anderson is also sticking around after signing a two-year extension, but it might be worth exploring the possibility of getting another talent from the college ranks for good measure.

Elijah Cooks suffered a bitter blow when injury restricted the wideout to just one game in 2020. Prior to this, the Nevada sensation hauled in 76 receptions for 926 receiving yards and eight touchdowns over a 13-game period in 2019.

At 6-foot-4, Cooks represents a matchup nightmare in the red zone, but his route-running repertoire must improve in the pros. There wouldn’t be a great deal of pressure on the wideout to make an instant impact in Carolina, which might be the best thing for the player in the grand scheme of things.

Of course, should Cooks excel and avoid further complications in the injury front, there is every chance he goes much higher than the sixth round and put him out of the Panthers’ reach.

There is plenty of football to be played between now and then. Cooks has all the intangibles needed to shine, but scouts will be watching to see just how well he’s recovered after so long away from the gridiron.