5 mid-round steals the Carolina Panthers could draft in 2022

Carolina Panthers could steal Verone McKinley III

Oregon’s Verone McKinley III is a smaller safety at just 5-foot-10. But his instincts and natural feel for the game led him to be one of the most productive defensive backs in the country.

His ability to read a quarterback’s eyes led to six interceptions in 2021, tied for first in the country. Something that the Carolina Panthers could certainly use on the backend if Juston Burris departs in free agency.

On one hand, you have a player who has great tape, always finds himself in a position to make a play. On the other, this is an undersized player who won’t match up well with bigger wide receivers in the NFL.

Unfortunately for McKinley, the NFC South is absolutely loaded with physical wideouts that will punish any missed tackle or lapse in concentration. This will come into Carolina’s train of though when examining the prospect.

His size isn’t something that concerns me too much as McKinley heads into the NFL. He’s aggressive and doesn’t back down from laying a hit, which will translate very well to the pros.

McKinley’s ability to be around the football could make him an ideal running mate alongside Jeremy Chinn long-term despite the signing pf Xavier Woods, who should be playing closer to the box. He may be able to even play a little bit of slot cornerback if needed.

Just don’t ask him to man up on Chris Godwin and Mike Evans.