4 biggest 2022 draft priorities for the Carolina Panthers through Week 5

Kicker

Once upon a time, the Carolina Panthers had Harrison Butker on the team. Something that still has fans waking up bitter about, seeing as how he’s been one of the top kickers not named Justin Tucker operating across the league.

After parting ways with the great Graham Gano, things just haven’t been as easy as they should be on special teams.

Also once upon a time, another top-five scoring kicker was up for grabs, but the Las Vegas Raiders beat everyone to the punch and snagged Daniel Carlson after he was cut by the Minnesota Vikings.

The former fifth-round pick has been automatic since then. A term that Carolina desperately needs in order to take care of business.

Zane Gonzalez has made 60 percent of his attempts this season, and perhaps he could return to his usual 77-85% form by the season’s end. If not, the draft will have some options available.

Carlson happens to have a little brother, Anders, who has made 74 percent of his field-goal attempts during his career at Auburn.

He’ll be available to draft next spring, so the Panthers would be wise to consider using a draft pick on him somewhere on Day 3. Other names to watch include Cade York (LSU) and Gabe Brkic (Oklahoma).