Carolina Panthers full 7-round 2022 mock draft after CFP semi-finals

Dameon Pierce – RB (Florida)

Running back might not be the first position one thinks of when looking at what the Carolina Panthers need to strengthen. But the simple fact is Christian McCaffrey cannot be relied upon any longer to play a full season after featuring just 10 times in two years.

Chuba Hubbard’s had some difficulties as a rookie and whether Ameer Abdullah gets an extension is highly debatable. When you put all these things together, selecting another back from the college ranks would be a shrewd move by the front office.

It won’t be a need early in the draft, but the league is full of players at the position who are thriving despite being late-round picks or even failing to hear their name called at all.

Dameon Pierce is someone to monitor in this eventuality. The Florida star is a power runner in between the tackles and it was strange that the Gators didn’t get him more involved considering how well he performed.

Pierce might not be the biggest running back in the world, but his thick frame and low center of gravity make bringing him down a tough prospect for even the most physical defenders.

The player averaged 5.5 yards per carry during his four-year stint in college. Pierce is also a tremendous blocker in pass protection, although elusiveness might hurt his stock ever so slightly.