Carolina Panthers 7-round 2022 mock draft: Stud OT headlines great haul

Carolina Panthers select Pierre Strong Jr.

• Running Back | South Dakota State

You probably know the story by now: Christian McCaffrey, one of the best running backs in football, has been unable to stay healthy over the last couple of seasons having only played in just 10 games.

The Carolina Panthers seem committed to adding more talent behind McCaffrey to ease his workload. Signing former Tennessee Titans running back D’Onta Foreman will help and with second-year-pro Chuba Hubbard also on the books, this seems like a solid group.

However, Foreman’s signing should not keep Scott Fitterer and the rest of the front office from considering another running back in this year’s draft class to complement McCaffrey’s skill set. In this scenario, the Panthers draft another potential sleeper that could make his presence felt.

Pierre Strong Jr. comes out of South Dakota State where he rushed for more than 1,600 yards and 18 touchdowns. Those rushing totals alone should open some eyeballs, and the prospect certainly does in both the box score and on the field.

Strong didn’t display much versatility in the passing game. However, that doesn’t mean he can’t.

The incoming college recruit is a slasher-type running back. He’s a creative runner with downhill speed, body control, and vision. The redshirt senior also shows a good feel for cutback lanes and is quite elusive in the open field.

Strong has shown flashes of being a potential complement to McCaffrey in the passing game. In terms of style, his game is quite similar to the former All-Pro and this represents tremendous value at this stage of the draft.