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

Carolina Panthers select Smoke Monday

• Position: Safety
• Height: 6-foot-2
• Weight: 207 pounds
• Arm Length: 32.5 inches
• 2021 PFF grade: 75.6

Acquiring Xavier Woods in free agency from the Minnesota Vikings could be a tremendous bit of business by the Carolina Panthers. A safety tandem of the former sixth-round selection and Jeremy Chinn should solidify the backend considerably, with Sean Chandler and Juston Burris also returning on team-friendly deals to boost depth at the position.

With that being said, the Panthers should also examine the possibility of adding another prospect from the college ranks that might also play a part. Smoke Monday makes a ton of sense at this stage of the draft and the Auburn product has the mentality that should fit in well within the locker room to smooth his adjustment to the pros.

Monday is a physical presence all over the field that also comes with some eye-catching athletic traits and solid awareness when it comes to coverage. He uses his size to good effect and can close on the football quickly when he identifies where it’s being distributed.

If there was a major problem where Monday’s overall contribution is concerned, it would be having more conviction to finish off plays with an efficiency his physical attributes should dictate. The defensive back could also use some refinement from a technical standpoint and there might be a strength issue coming up against bigger, more imposing players in the NFL.

Carolina wouldn’t need Monday to be an instant impact player thanks to other alternatives at the safety spot. So this represents a nice development project that can make a difference on special teams.