Carolina Panthers select major reach in recent PFN 2022 mock draft

The Carolina Panthers gambled on a major reach to improve the team’s fortunes in a recent 2022 mock draft published by Pro Football Network.

This is the time of year that fans love. Free agency is just around the corner and evaluators are doing their due dilligence on hundreds of college hopefuls ahead of what’s sure to be another dramatic NFL Draft in 2022.

The Carolina Panthers might not possess a Day 2 pick right now after deciding to give up their second and third-rounders for Sam Darnold and C.J. Henderson. But that doesn’t mean they won’t have a variety of different options available from No. 6 overall after another hugely frustrating campaign that placed head coach Matt Rhule firmly on the hot seat.

Rhule got one last chance from team owner David Tepper for reasons the billionaire has yet to reveal publicly. But if things continue to trend on this downward slope, the former Baylor man might be so lucky next year.

Strengthening the offensive line is a big need. Keeping experience veterans should also be prioritized and there is another offseason of quarterback speculation awaiting the Panthers following Darnold’s regression into the flawed signal-caller we saw plenty of during his time with the New York Jets.

Tepper will likely push for a major splash in the trade market, especially if Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson’s legal matters come to a successful conclusion. However, this seems like a pipe dream and perhaps the best way to form a long-term plan is by drafting one of the top prospects entering the league this year.

Carolina Panthers select Kenny Pickett in Pro Football Network mock draft

The 2022 quarterback class isn’t getting much love from analysts, with some even claiming that none have the talent to be first-round picks. That didn’t stop James Fragoza from Pro Football Network from mocking Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett to the Panthers in his recent mock draft.

"“I’m not sure there is a quarterback worthy of a top-10 pick, but that won’t matter too much to QB-needy teams. We’ve seen franchises reach for quarterbacks before, even though nearly everyone knew the talent wasn’t there. Yet, Kenny Pickett has the talent. And if he produced his Year 5 numbers a couple of seasons earlier, he would likely be the No. 2 pick in this draft.”"

This is a growing belief across the NFL. Pickett and Carolina were being heavily linked throughout the Senior Bowl, with two sources telling Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports they would be shcoked if the prospect made it past the Panthers.

Pickett might be seen as the most pro-ready quarteback in this class, but that isn’t saying much. And just why it took him so long to come of age in college is another mystery.

Until the offensive line gets fixed, then it doesn’t matter who is under center. So if a premier tackle such as Charles Cross, Ikem Ekwonu or Evan Neal is still around, Carolina should examine this possibility extremely closely.

Drafting Pickett at No. 6 one year after passing on Justin Fields out of Ohio State at No. 8 would be a microcosm of how personnel evaluation has gone at the most important position on the field since Rhule came to town. But the head coach initially recruited the player to Temple and clearly likes what he sees – so it’s a very real possibility from the outside looking in.

All fans can do is wait and watch. But one suspects there will be plenty of twists and turns to come before the draft rolls around.