Projecting every 2022 draft pick before Carolina Panthers are on the clock

Carolina Panthers options at No. 6

• Charles Cross – OT (Mississippi State)
• Tyler Linderbaum – C (Iowa)
• Kenny Pickett – QB (Pittsburgh)
• Malik Willis – QB (Liberty)
• Kenyon Green – OL (Texas A&M)
• Trevor Penning – OT (Northern Iowa)
• Ahmad Gardner – CB (Cincinnati)
• Trade down

If the draft played out in front of the Carolina Panthers like this, then they still have some eye-catching prospects available to choose from. This is a very strong class for offensive linemen at the top-end, so selecting a Day 1 starter such as Charles Cross or Tyler Linderbaum would be a call nobody could truly moan at given what transpired during the 2021 season.

Trevor Penning is a lively outsider who has boosted his stock enormously during Senior Bowl week. The Northern Iowa product has everything one looks for in an elite tackle at the next level and even though coming from a small school might concern some, his gifts are there for all to see.

Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner has been mocked to the Panthers by a couple of analysts, even though selecting a cornerback would be highly controversial considering Carolina took Jaycee Horn at No. 8 overall last time around.

And then, there is the situation at quarterback.

Sam Darnold is under contract after the Panthers picked up his fifth-year option with a guaranteed $18.85 million. However, that should not stop those in power from taking someone with high ceiling traits like Malik Willis or perhaps Kenny Pickett given Matt Rhule tried to recruit him to Temple during his time in college.

Trading down is something else to strongly consider with no Day 2 pick currently. There is just no telling which way the Panthers are going to go, so it will be fascinating to see.