Carolina Panthers make huge trade in full 7-round 2022 mock draft

Carolina Panthers select James Cook – RB (Georgia)

With three of their biggest issues already addressed, the Carolina Panthers bring in another playmaker in the form of running back James Cook. He wasn’t the starter for the national champion Georgia Bulldogs, but he played an important role when the team needed him most.

He had the longest run in the National Championship game against a vaunted Alabama defense and flashed his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Christian McCaffrey cannot stay healthy and Carolina lacks a running back who is a dual-threat that creates space.

Cook gives Carolina a plan B if McCaffrey is traded or injured yet again. Even if the All-Pro is with the team for a full season, the brother of Minnesota Vikings star Dalvin Cook will allow the face of the franchise more rest without a huge drop-off and bring the same type of skill set.

This isn’t to say Cook is capable of being anywhere close to the running back McCaffrey has been – but rather he profiles as the same type of back. An explosive player with great speed and elite catching ability that will help him stick at this level.

At first glance, this is an odd pick for the Panthers, but when you look closer it makes perfect sense. Carolina cannot continue to ask McCaffrey to carry the workload and Cook will allow the veteran more rest and help him stay healthy while giving the Panthers a player who can find the end-zone at a moment’s notice.