Panthers 7-round 2022 NFL mock draft: Dreams come true in Round 1

Carolina Panthers select Micah McFadden

• Position: Linebacker
• Height: 6-foot-1
• Weight: 240 pounds
• Arm Length: 31.25 inches
• 2021 PFF grade: 74.8

The Carolina Panthers are now onto their third starting middle linebacker in as many seasons following the shock retirement of Luke Kuechly. Jermaine Carter wasn’t brought back after an inconsistent 2021 campaign, with the organization opting to take their chances with a tandem consisting of Damien Wilson and Cory Littleton moving forward.

If this fails, then selecting a development project that could eventually become the team’s long-term option could also be worth its weight in gold. Micah McFadden ticks all the boxes in that regard and if he makes it this far down the pecking order, could represent a high-value pickup when it’s all said and done.

McFadden excels in getting after the quarterback. He is an extremely intelligent pass-rusher from the interior and boasts natural instincts when it comes to being around the action consistently.

The Indiana product attained 216 tackles, 36 tackles for loss, 14 sacks, and four interceptions throughout his college career. McFadden plays the game in a physical manner and even though he is a little undersized for the position, he has the intelligence to make up for it providing there is growth on the muscle front in the pros.

At the very worst, McFadden could become a core special teams guy while other areas of his game get up to speed. An area of play that the Panthers clearly value highly.