5 prospects that might tempt the Panthers to go defense in Round 1
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers could draft Kyle Hamilton
Perhaps positional value will dictate where Kyle Hamilton goes in the 2022 NFL Draft. But there appears little dispute he is among the top prospects entering the league this year and might even be the best of the bunch when it’s all said and done.
Hamilton comes with game-changing traits on the backend that the Carolina Panthers have lacked. His ability to dictate proceedings from the safety position is extraordinary at times, which comes as a result of exceptional athleticism, outstanding speed to the football, and a high IQ that allows the player to be in the right position more often than not.
His time at Notre Dame was littered with superb highlights. Hamilton was made for the big occasion and whoever ends up taking the player this spring will have a Day 1 starter with All-Pro potential on their hands.
That is a high bar for Hamilton. But nothing he isn’t more than capable of if his college career is any indication.
If the Panthers decide to move Jeremy Chinn back to an outside linebacker this offseason, the need for safety assistance will grow given that Juston Burris and Sean Chandler are out of contract. Putting Hamilton on a defense already loaded with dynamic young players could make Carolina among the league’s best in no time at all.