Trades aplenty in full 7-round Carolina Panthers 2022 NFL mock draft

Carolina Panthers pick No. 54

Darian Kinnard – OL (Kentucky)

Fixing the offensive line should be a huge priority for the Carolina Panthers this offseason. They’ve paid a heavy price for not focusing on this area of the field sufficiently before the current campaign and no quarterback could perform effectively behind such dismal protection.

Addressing this via the draft seems like the best – and cheapest – solution. Especially considering just how many holes Carolina has to fill if Brady Christensen and Deonte Brown fail to show the necessary improvements.

If Darian Kinnard is still available by this point of the draft, then the Panthers should think hard about taking the offensive lineman. The Kentucky product operates as a blindside protector more often than not, but some analysts project the player to be a better interior presence once he gets to the next level.

Kinnard is technically sound, has tremendous power, and plays with ruthless aggression on almost every snap. These traits are normally associated with productive linemen in the NFL and the prospect could be a significant upgrade on anything Carolina currently has.

There might be others drawing more hype at the position. But Kinnard is as consistent as any college lineman coming out this year and has more than held his own in the SEC to further enhance the player’s credentials.