Panthers 7-round 2022 NFL mock draft: Post-Senior Bowl edition

Carolina Panthers select Damone Clark – LB (LSU)

Another area that needs attention in the coming weeks is at linebacker, where the Carolina Panthers are finding life tough in pursuit of acquiring Luke Kuechly’s long-term successor. Tahir Whitehead was a disaster and although Jermaine Carter showed some promise, it’s unlikely the team has the resources to allocate a new deal to the Maryland product given how inconsistent he was from a starting role.

This could lead them to their third starting middle linebacker in as many seasons since Kuechly’s shock retirement. The sooner they can find the right guy, the better their chances will be moving forward.

Someone that really caught the eye during Senior Bowl week and in his final season with the LSU Tigers could be worth a look in the mid-rounds. Damone Clark is an explosive sideline-to-sideline presence that also has no trouble getting after the quarterback when called upon – traits that are always highly sought-after at the next level.

Clark gave his draft prospects a real shot in the arm in 2021, racking up 135 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 15.5 tackles for loss. Wrapping up opposing players is another area where he excels, but there is a tendency to get fooled by trick plays and misdirection that proves to be his undoing.

That being said, there is far more good than bad where Clark is concerned. If he is still around by this point, then the Panthers shouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger.