Panthers 7-round 2022 NFL mock draft: Dealing with devils

Carolina Panthers select Channing Tindall

• Linebacker | Georgia

The linebacker spot wasn’t considered a great need for the Carolina Panthers after a busy period of recruitment during free agency. However, the recent arrest of Damien Wilson has thrown a significant spanner in the works and could alter the team’s draft plans as a result.

If charges are confirmed and Wilson is released, then the Panthers have to get another option into the building despite the presence of Cory Littleton. There are a few likely free-agent candidates, but adding through the daft represents the best option to fill the void long-term.

Should Channing Tindall remain on the board by this point, Carolina should think long and hard about bringing the national champion to the organization. His production for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2021 was superb and catching the eye within a defense littered with NFL-caliber talent is no mean feat, in all honesty.

Tindall is explosive and plays just as fast. He is a supreme tackler, can rush the passer when required, and also excels from a coverage standpoint to further heighten his overall influence.

Much will depend on how Tindall handles a starting load after being used on a rotational basis with Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker. But this shouldn’t be that much of a concern and this could finally give the Panthers a successor to Luke Kuechly at last.