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

Carolina Panthers could steal Zyon McCollum

Zyon McCollum has everything you would want in a cornerback. He’s 6-foot-2, 200 pounds, runs a 4.33-second 40-yard dash, has good footwork and hips, and possesses a nose for the ball.

McCollum is also a willing tackler. Something every rookie cornerback needs against much bigger and more imposing wide receivers who will torch any wayward effort in this particular area of play.

Besides being a fairly raw prospect, there aren’t too many negatives to McCollum’s game. The Carolina Panthers aren’t in pressing need of a corner, but with Stephon Gilmore and Donte Jackson looking like they won’t be returning next season and Jaycee Horn coming off an injury, it wouldn’t hurt those in power to try and bring in another body at the position.

Coming from the FCS there will be a learning curve for McCollum as he will have to immediately adjust to guarding some of the best receivers in the league. However, the make-up of a very solid player is there providing he gets enough time to develop.

Time is a luxury the Panthers and Matt Rhule simply don’t have after two failed seasons. Banking on McCollum coming in and making his presence felt on the rotation in Week 1 is a long shot, so it all depends on how well he transitions from college to the professional ranks.