Panthers 7-round 2022 NFL mock draft: Major trade brings options

Carolina Panthers select Phidarian Mathis

With DaQuan Jones set to hit the open market, the Carolina Panthers require depth or a potential starter within the interior of their defensive line alongside Derrick Brown. In this trade-back scenario, Scott Fitterer can land another nice, under-the-radar prospect.

Phidarian Mathis comes into the 2022 NFL Draft as an underrated defensive prospect. He’s not the traditional, all-world defensive lineman that the Crimson Tide usually puts every so often. However, he was a key part of Alabama’s defense last season with nine sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss.

Alabama used Mathis in a variety of alignments and he played in those spots well throughout the season. The redshirt senior is refined against the run and as a pass rusher while also displaying good football intelligence that allows him to stay disciplined with his run fits.

Mathis is also a high motor and effort player that a defensive coordinator like Phil Snow could fall in love with. With Brown solidified as the top defensive tackle in the room unless he is traded to the Houston Texans as part of any deal for Deshaun Watson, the incoming college recruit and second-year player Daviyon Nixon would provide a good rotation in the middle of Carolina’s defense.