How tough is the draft challenge awaiting Panthers GM Scott Fitterer?

Carolina Panthers general manager Scott Fitterer has his work cut out to put his team in the best position during the 2022 NFL Draft?

The impact made by general manager Scott Fitterer during his first full year with the Carolina Panthers was impressive. Although he doesn’t get the final say on personnel decisions thanks to Matt Rhule‘s contract, the front office figure’s influence across the organization is steadily increasing and resulted in a tremendous period of recruitment with little in the way of big contracts allocated in free agency.

That is only half the job for Fitterer and the Panthers. What comes next during and shortly after the 2022 NFL Draft is likely to shape the team’s chances next season and everything has to go right.

Carolina took Rhule out of the firing line regarding media availability this offseason after calls to fire the head coach were not answered. Couple this with team owner David Tepper‘s radio silence to avoid questions about the current state of affairs and Fitterer has been thrust into the limelight as the face of the franchise, to a certain extent.

Fitterer has had some influence regarding recruitment, obviously. But the failed trade for Sam Darnold and the fact that free-agent Cam Erving performed badly as expected left the Panthers in quite the predicament ahead of the all-important draft process.

His “in on every deal” mentality also means Carolina is without a second or third-round selection right now after deals for Darnold and cornerback C.J. Henderson. Another concerning situation that the general manager has to navigate.

The challenge facing Fitterer is not going unnoticed by others across the league. An anonymous general manager speaking to Peter King of NBC Sports for his weekly Football Morning in America column highlighted just how steep the task actually is.

"“Scott Fitterer is well-respected, and I feel bad for him. I’d hate to need a quarterback this year, with an owner all over you to find one, and have to draft one with this group. No one feels great about any of these guys. [Pitt’s Kenny] Pickett is probably the best one, and he’s a maybe.”"

Carolina Panthers must let Scott Fitterer take the lead

If Fitterer and other key figures within the Panthers are not entirely convinced by a quarterback, then they shouldn’t take one.

It’s that simple, really.

There is an opportunity for the Panthers finally find a premier left tackle at No. 6 overall. The rumors surrounding another veteran trade for someone like Jimmy Garoppolo or Baker Mayfield don’t seem to be going away and could represent a quicker increase in production given the concerns surrounding this draft class.

Fitterer mastered the draft board in 2021 with a flurry of trade activity, securing some impressive picks along the way. More of the same will be required this time around, but much will also depend on how the balance of power sits as Rhule and Tepper are also set to be influential within the war room.

This could end up being a complex situation. A concise series of plans need to be in place for every eventuality and if the Panthers can come out of the draft in a better position, then hopes of making more noise in 2022 will increase as a result.

The draft will also tell us plenty about the growth of Fitterer into the role. His working relationship with Rhule remains positive, but he won’t want to get his reputation tied to the former Baylor man if his rash decisions reflect badly on him and the franchise.

Just another intriguing factor to watch closely when Carolina gets down to business in just over a week’s time.