Which 2022 NFL Draft prospects should the Carolina Panthers monitor closely when they attend this year’s Senior Bowl event?
One of the most exciting events of the NFL Draft assessment process is almost upon us. College hopefuls looking to stake their claim will descend on Mobile, Alabama once again for the 2022 Senior Bowl, which the Carolina Panthers had the privilege of coaching in this time last year.
The Panthers ended up picking a lot of prospects that they saw for themselves during the week. Keith Taylor Jr. demonstrated some real promise, even though the likes of Shi Smith and Deonte Brown were handled in a more developmental way.
With no Day 2 selection currently, Carolina has to be shrewd with their maneuvering this spring. General manager Scott Fitterer made an exceptional impression during his first draft and everyone associated with the organization will be hoping for a similar outcome this time around.
Without further ado, here are seven prospects on offense the Panthers should monitor closely at the Senior Bowl this year.
Prospects on offense the Carolina Panthers should watch at the Senior Bowl
Prospect No. 1
Zion Johnson – OL (Boston College)
It’s no secret that the Carolina Panthers need help on their offensive line interior. That’s why someone like Zion Johnson will be one of the players to keep a close eye on throughout Senior Bowl week.
The Boston College prospect is a brute force against the run and more than holds his own in pass protection. Johnson has the size and physicality to really make a difference at the next level, with the player potentially being a Day 1 starter somewhere with a smooth transition.
Carolina would likely need to recoup a second-round pick they don’t have for a shot at Johnson, who could even enter first-round consideration if he excels during the evaluation process.
Cole Turner – TE (Nevada)
Getting some extra assistance at the tight end position is a need for the Carolina Panthers this offseason. Tommy Tremble showed some flashes of potential during his rookie campaign, but his pass-catching skills still need some refinement, and with Ian Thomas out of contract, picking up another exciting prospect from the college ranks should be considered.
Cole Turner has a lot on the line during the 2022 Senior Bowl. His production at Nevada was extremely promising, but the standard of competition wouldn’t be classed as elite and it’s therefore vital he shines against some of the best college football has to offer in Mobile.
Turner certainly has a lot going for him from a talent perspective. Converting from a wide receiver to a tight end proved to be the making of him and providing he’s utilized in the right way, there could be mismatches aplenty once the player gets to the next level.
Ball skills are already where they need to be for Turner. Brushing up his route-running and improving the blocking aspect of playing the tight end position is the next stage in terms of development.
That being said, it’s worth remembering that Turner is still learning the position. So if the Panthers are looking for a potential X-factor in the mid-rounds, he might be the guy.
Kenny Pickett – QB (Pittsburgh)
There are some polarizing opinions surrounding Kenny Pickett heading into the all-important draft process. The quarterback enjoyed a phenomenal season at Pittsburgh to end his college career on a high, but there are some who doubt whether or not he can become a successful NFL starter.
Pickett might be the first signal-caller off the board in a weak class. But much will depend on how he builds on some positive momentum at the Senior Bowl and – later on – the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine.
At least on the face of things, there is plenty to like about Pickett’s skill set. His strong arm is matched by impressive accuracy and the quarterback can also get out on the move when things aren’t developing as expected.
Pickett’s growth in 2021 was astonishing, completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards, 42 touchdowns, seven interceptions, and a passer efficiency rating of 165.3. He also secured 233 rushing yards and five scores on the ground.
Matt Rhule is a big fan of Pickett’s and tried to recruit the player in college. The Carolina Panthers have an obvious need to improve their protection and only have one selection in the top-100, so the signal-caller would need to blow the team’s scouts away to be considered at No. 6.
Brian Robinson Jr. – RB (Alabama)
One underrated need for the Carolina Panthers this offseason is forming a plan that gives Christian McCaffrey the best possible chance of staying healthy. The All-Pro running back featured just seven times in 2021 and has appeared in 10 games over the last two seasons, so something has to give for a player that remains the focal point on offense.
Chuba Hubbard and Ameer Abudallah performed admirably in McCaffrey’s absence. But it might be worth the Panthers looking at acquiring a power running back to do the hard work in between the tackles.
If they decide to do this via the draft, then Brian Robinson Jr. should be closely examined at the 2022 Senior Bowl. The Alabama bruiser is the latest in a long one of backs from the Crimson Tide that looks primed for the next level, which is further reflected in the 1,336 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns the player attained in 2021.
This would be a shrewd move by the Panthers, who need to deploy a multi-back approach moving forward to preserve McCaffrey as best they can. Robinson ticks all the boxes in terms of power and he is also a danger in the passing game to further enhance his overall influence.
Robinson will be a hot commodity throughout the evaluation process. If the player impresses, then he might be able to hear his name called early on Day 2.
Trevor Penning – OT (Northern Iowa)
As stated previously, the Carolina Panthers are in dire need of a significant offensive line makeover. Only right tackle Taylor Moton is guaranteed a starting berth in 2022 and considering how expensive productive free agents are in this critical area of the field, building a cohesive unit through the draft is the smartest way to go.
Selecting a premier lineman at No. 6 overall is a real possibility. But if the Panthers opt to trade down and acquire more draft capital, then someone like Trevor Penning needs watching in this eventuality.
Although Penning isn’t the highest-graded left tackle in this class, he’s pretty much atop the second tier behind the likes of Evan Neal and Charles Cross. However, plying his trade at Northern Iowa seems to be hurting his stock, at least for the time being.
Penning gets the chance to bolster his reputation at the Senior Bowl. If he can dominate better-quality opponents in a similar fashion, then a potential top-15 pick might not be too far behind.
The blindside protector has everything one looks for. Penning is agile, powerful at the point of attack, and possesses the necessary length to keep opposing edge rushers at bay.
Carolina could do far worse than look in Penning’s direction. But they won’t be the only ones coveting the player by the time draft weekend rolls around.
Malik Willis – QB (Liberty)
There seems to be a significant amount of hype building around Malik Willis. The game-changing playoff exploits of Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen have helped his stock in a weird way – even though the Liberty quarterback isn’t up to such a standard at the present time.
One thing Willis has that most quarterbacks entering the league this year don’t is an ability to conjure magic out of nothing. Whether that’s by making astonishing throws or running the football, his supreme athleticism stands out like a sore thumb, and expect this to continue at the Senior Bowl.
The Carolina Panthers obviously need assistance and a long-term plan under center. Sam Darnold is not the long-term option and although Cam Newton galvanized the fanbase for a brief period, it would be a bombshell if he returned for another year.
Finding the necessary protection is going to be key for Carolina. If they manage to do this in free agency, then someone like Willis comes into play either at No. 6 or via trading down slightly.
This move would provide Panthers fans with some sense of excitement for the future. Willis isn’t ready to start right away, but it’s also worth remembering that Mahomes practically red-shirted his rookie campaign with the Kansas City Chiefs before taking the NFL world by storm.
Jalen Tolbert – WR (South Alabama)
Outside of D.J. Moore, there was little to shout about within the wide receiver room in 2021. Robby Anderson regressed considerably during his second season with the Carolina Panthers, Terrace Marshall Jr. was a non-factor, and the team really missed the consistent slot presence of Curtis Samuel throughout the campaign.
Hopefully, the likes of Marshall and Shi Smith can make strides this offseason. But it might be worth the Panthers getting another exciting young prospect from the college system to bolster their options.
Someone that’s riding on the crest of a wave right now is Jalen Tolbert. The South Alabama star was a dominant figure in 2021, recording 82 receptions for 1,474 yards and eight touchdowns from just 12 games.
Tolbert is a big-bodied receiver at 6-foot-3 with the explosiveness to match. There was nobody in the Sun Belt that could cope with his outstanding athletic attributes and although the competition level will increase at the Senior Bowl, Carolina would be wise to keep a close eye on how the prospect progresses during the week.
The wideout is close to home having been raised in Mobile. Tolbert might be one prospect with the most to gain from a strong bowl week and the Panthers cannot say they don’t need another reliable playmaker in the passing game after what transpired this season.