Trades aplenty in full 7-round Carolina Panthers 2022 NFL mock draft
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers trade down from No. 8 overall
The Carolina Panthers have to get some picks back early in the 2022 NFL Draft. They aren’t in a position to be taking the best player available judging by the current state of their roster, although that might change if someone like Alabama’s left tackle Evan Neal somehow falls into the team’s lap.
In this scenario, the Panthers strike a good deal with the Buffalo Bills to trade down from No. 8 to No. 20. Buffalo selected defensive tackle DeMarvin Leal in this scenario and the move provides Carolina with two Day 2 picks and a third-rounder in 2023 for good measure.
Not a bad haul by any means. One that will be explored by Scott Fitterer if his 2021 trade activity is any indication.
Carolina Panthers trade down from No. 20 overall
Another trade sees the Panthers drop out of the first round after a trade with the Seattle Seahawks, who moved up to select Cincinnati’s gifted cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner. This gives Carolina even more capital this year and next, which is a solid foundation from which to build.
The Panthers adopted a win-now approach with their draft picks, which probably wasn’t the best method given how much things have regressed as the campaign’s gone on. It wouldn’t be a surprise if this changes during the offseason with holes all over the roster.
Also, considering the changes that could be afoot in Seattle, swapping third-round picks could be a masterstroke if Pete Carroll and/or Russell Wilson are no longer around.