4 ways the Carolina Panthers could go at No. 6 in the 2022 NFL Draft

Carolina Panthers could go ‘best player available’

The first three options seem to be the most likely. But general manager Scott Fitterer has often highlighted the dangers of drafting for need rather than a blue-chip talent staring them in the face.

This could lead the Carolina Panthers to go down the best player available route from No. 6 overall. That might be a left tackle, obviously, but there is a ton of high-quality prospects who could emerge as surprising options when the time comes.

Whether it’s the edge-rushing duo of Travon Walker and Kayvon Thibodeaux, an elite safety in Kyle Hamilton, or even another shutdown cornerback such as Sauce Gardner, everything should be on the table for Carolina no matter how much they might need a better option at quarterback.

Passing on Thibodeaux – especially if the top-three tackles are gone by then – would be extremely difficult to do. The Panthers lost Haason Reddick in free agency and even though they have high hopes for Yetur Gross-Matos, adding an explosive presence opposite Brian Burns should be discussed, at the very least.

These scenarios only add to the fascination surrounding the Panthers’ draft plans. The first hour is going to be enormously entertaining and what conclusions come from it will shape the team’s future in 2022 and possibly beyond.