7 prospects on defense for Panthers to watch at 2022 Scouting Combine
By Dean Jones
Carolina Panthers should watch Kyle Hamilton
The Carolina Panthers will not be alone in watching Kyle Hamilton during the defensive back drills. One of the brightest safety prospects to enter the league in quite some time, the Notre Dame product could cement his status as a top-five pick and the best player in this year’s draft with a strong showing at Lucas Oil Stadium throughout the week.
Hamilton has everything one looks for in an exceptional prospect. He is a tremendous athlete with incredible football instincts, with his time marshaling the Fighting Irish defense littered with memorable highlights that sent his stock through the roof over the last two years.
Most teams find it hard to justify taking safety prospects so high. But Hamilton’s potential influence from Day 1 cannot be understated and if he is still around by the time Carolina is on the clock, there is going to be a franchise-altering discussion regarding the player.
One could argue that a safety partnership of Hamilton and Jeremy Chinn would be the league’s best young tandem. However, passing on a premier offensive lineman to secure the player is a massive call to make.
Again, it’s hard to predict just what the Panthers’ needs will be until free agency. If Carolina can find the right reinforcements for their protection at this stage, then Hamilton will come into play.