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

Carolina Panthers pick No. 85

Christian Harris – LB (Alabama)

There are some doubts about the future of Jermaine Carter this offseason. The linebacker is out of contract and depending on his demands, the Carolina Panthers might decide to move on given his inconsistent level of production this season.

With Shaq Thompson and Haason Reddick operating well on the edge, the Panthers could secure an athletic linebacker to man the interior long-term if the team and Carter go their separate ways.

Christian Harris is a sideline-to-sideline stud who is capable of wrecking a game if afforded enough space. The prospect has played a significant role for Alabama over a three-year period, providing exceptional run defense support and displaying the ability to generate pressure when opportunities arise.

There is nothing Harris cannot do on the football field. Although there is a chance he goes much higher than this once teams get a good look at him during their respective assessments.

The Panthers need a long-term successor to Luke Kuechly following his shock retirement after the 2019 season ended. Whether they’ll extend Carter or not is a moot point in this scenario – they need more depth at the second level and this is something Harris would undoubtedly provide.

Harris gets the chance to bolster his draft stock further in the college football playoffs. So he is a player the Panthers should be monitoring closely.