4 biggest 2022 draft priorities for the Carolina Panthers through Week 5
Wide Receiver
D.J. Moore has been insane the last two years as an elite pass-catcher, Robby Anderson just signed an extension, and Terrace Marshall Jr. looks like the next LSU stud wide receiver in the game. Throw in Shi Smith and you’re probably wondering why even bother with wideouts next offseason at all.
Through the month of September, Joe Brady has made one thing clear.
Options, options, options.
It won’t be long before Tommy Tremble and the aforementioned Anderson acquire more targets, along with Christian McCaffrey once he returns to the field.
Sam Darnold looks comfortable spreading the ball around, so why not get him a few more toys to work with?
If there’s one thing that the division rival New Orleans Saints have done well, it’s using the saying “rich get richer” in order to stay deep, even within positional groups they don’t necessarily need to address right away.
After Round 1 or Round 2, it’s “best player available” for the rest of the draft.
Scott Fitterer might have the same mindset, and one thinks he should look to improve the Carolina Panthers’ best group yet. I like the idea of using a late third-round pick on someone like Jahan Dotson out of Penn State.
His route running and pass-catching could give Brady and Matt Rhule something to keep defenses on their toes for all four quarters, providing the offensive coordinator doesn’t get a head coaching gig after the campaign.
If Dotson’s draft stock rises – as he could become the best receiver in the Big Ten by season’s end – then I would also like to see Wan’Dale Robinson (Kentucky) or Justyn Ross (Clemson) in Carolina blue.
As of now, that’s how the draft board should look. As the season goes on, I’m sure it will change, so we’ll keep our eye out for prospects as we go.
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Hopefully, the quarterback will stay off this list. Thankfully, it just might.