7 defensive tackles the Carolina Panthers could select in the 2022 NFL Draft
Carolina Panthers could select Neil Farrell Jr. (LSU)
Measurements:
- Height: 6-foot-4 | Weight: 330 pounds
2021 Stats:
- 45 tackles
- 2 sacks
- 9.5 tackles for loss
- 89.8 PFF Grade
Neil Farrell Jr. had a poor NFL Scouting Combine, but his last season at LSU was a productive one. The Alabama native is a large man at 6-foot-4, 330 pounds – size lets him control both A-gaps lining up over the center.
Farrell will not wow too much in the pass rush, but his initial get-off is powerful, creating pushback which is a big positive as a run stopper. The upside for an early-down and short-yardage gap swallower at the next level is there for all to see.
The athletic profile of the former Tiger is not great. Laterally he struggles to slip around blocks and can get washed off if he gets blocked in his peripheral areas. But heads up against linemen, he will be a big load to deal with, literally and figuratively.
NFL analysts project Farrell to go early in Day 3 between Rounds 4-5. The Carolina Panthers have the capital in this section of the draft to spend on a player of Ferrell’s skillset.
He projects to be a solid run-stopper by taking up gaps. Farrell will mostly play nose tackle at the NFL level and could be a big hit with a little more development.
Carolina could select Ferrell to be another rotational nose tackle on the team. He is a solid player that the Panthers could get later than Jones and Mathis and should be considered once other holes are filled.