Carolina Panthers 2022 NFL mock draft: Pro days offer a clearer picture

Carolina Panthers select WR Tyquan Thornton

As mentioned on the previous slide, having depth on your roster is very important at every position, including wide receiver. Yet, the Carolina Panthers seem to have plenty of options after D.J. Moore’s long-term extension and the signing of former Cleveland Browns wideout Rashard Higgins.

However, having too much depth at one position isn’t necessarily a bad thing. In this scenario, former Baylor coach Matt Rhule and the Panthers steal the fastest wide receiver from the NFL Scouting Combine with the No. 199 overall selection.

It is easy to see Tyquan Thornton’s 4.28 40-yard dash speed on tape. He’s an easy glider who will run past defenses with ease.

Thornton instantly adds more value due to his ability as a vertical threat downfield. This means he could see the field sooner rather than later.

Pairing Thornton’s vertical ability and Malik Willis’ arm talent is silly to think about in this scenario. The receiver will need time to develop his skill set, overall. However, there’s no denying that the former four-star high school recruit has the potential to be one of the most explosive playmakers in the league with a little more refinement to his game.

Also, there’s something about that 199th pick that has a sense of romance attached to it. After all, that’s where Tom Brady was eventually taken by the New England Patriots.