5 lively outsiders the Carolina Panthers could draft in 2022

Carolina Panthers could draft Velus Jones Jr.

• Wide Receiver/Kick Returner | Tennessee

The Carolina Panthers look pretty set at the wide receiver position heading into the 2022 season. Most of their big names came back and the team also brought in Rashard Higgins on a bargain-basement deal in the hope he can get back to his old form following a down year with the Cleveland Browns.

Selecting a wideout early in the draft does appear to be a non-starter. But once other needs are filled, there’s nothing stopping the Panthers from acquiring a talented young prospect that could also provide assistance in the return game should the opportunity arise.

Velus Jones Jr. is someone that ticks all these boxes and should be around sometime on Day 3. The Tennessee product has spent no fewer than six years in college at USC and with the Volunteers, becoming a reliable pass-catching asset and dynamic kick returner along the way.

This colorful route to the NFL ensures Jones won’t take anything for granted. He averaged 24.4 yards per kick return and 15.1 yards for every punt, boasting tremendous elusiveness in tight windows and breakaway speed in the open field.

Not only this, but Jones is coming off the best statistical season of his career as a wide receiver in 2021, bringing in 62 receptions for 802 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.

Providing the wideout improves his route tree, there could be a role for Jones to play in the NFL. Even though he’ll be 25 years old by the time he achieves his professional dream.