Predicting positions the Panthers will take in each round of the 2022 draft

Carolina Panthers will select DE in Round No. 4

While it does appear unlikely that the Carolina Panthers will wait until No. 137 overall for their next selection, that is the situation they find themselves in at the present moment. General manager Scott Fitterer was renowned for his trades up and down the board last year, so expect something similar to occur if the right opportunity comes along.

With Haason Reddick no longer around after the Panthers opted to let the outside linebacker test the free-agent market and sign for the Philadelphia Eagles, it leaves a gaping hole on the opposite side of Brian Burns. Players such as Yetur Gross-Matos and Marquis Haynes could be set for extended roles as a result, but Carolina should also acquire another young prospect from the college ranks to give their depth chart another boost.

Finding productive players this far down the pecking order is difficult. Fortunately for the Panthers, Fitterer has developed an impressive reputation when it comes to securing diamonds in the mid-rounds and this is something Carolina will be counting on this time around.

The defensive end class is arguably the deepest of any position in this year’s draft. There is explosiveness and potentially some real value to be had a little later in the process, which the Panthers would be wise to take full advantage of.

Replicating Reddick’s exceptional production last season will not be easy. So it might be a collective effort rather than one guy doing all the damage.