Carolina Panthers 2022 NFL mock draft with major first-round trade
By Dean Jones
![(Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports) Dorian Thompson-Robinson (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports) Dorian Thompson-Robinson](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fcatcrave-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F15307269-850x560-eacdee0386c05c24b24d0a23e42fd7455b0ef19cbc46eb5ec329daec79f15488.jpg)
PENN STATE. RASHEEDWALKER. 26. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. OT. player. 806
Carolina Panthers pick No. 26: Rasheed Walker – OT (Penn State)
We mocked Rasheed Walker to the Carolina Panthers in our first 2022 NFL Draft. As fortune would have it, the stud offensive tackle was still around at No. 26 overall.
This would be a best-case scenario for the Panthers. Walker has the talent to go much higher than this and has the look of a potential franchise NFL left tackle about him judging by recent production at Penn State.
Week 1 didn’t leave many reasons to be encouraged surrounding the offensive line. Although it’s worth remembering they didn’t have much time on the field in preseason games to build chemistry before competitive action began.
Finding a long-term solution to blindside protection is priority No. 1 for the Panthers in 2022 if quarterback Sam Darnold shows enough promise. This class of signal-callers doesn’t appear that strong, anyway.
Walker is fast, athletic, and has the right sort of size to become a productive left tackle at the next level. Providing his transition to the pros is a smooth one, the prospect would be an instant upgrade on current starter Cam Erving in Carolina.
Picking up a left tackle and a second-round pick for good measure would be an incredible start to the Panthers 2022 NFL Draft.