5 Panthers players who could be replaced during the 2022 NFL Draft
By Dean Jones
Which Carolina Panthers players could be replaced by incoming college recruits during the 2022 NFL Draft?
The 2022 NFL Draft represents excitement among fans across the country. For the Carolina Panthers, this is a critical period in their offseason plan and the outcomes they make are going to have some grave implications one way or another when competitive action resumes once again.
New faces coming on board can mean uncertainty for current NFL players whose statuses could be in jeopardy. The Panthers are no exception to this and especially considering how many influential individuals underperformed throughout the 2021 campaign that began with a 3-0 record before completely capitulating over the next 14 games.
Carolina has some monumental calls to make at key positions. Others on the depth chart will also be nervously waiting to see which college recruits are acquired to provide additional competition in training camp.
With this in mind, here are five Panthers players who could be replaced during the 2022 draft.
Player No. 1
Sam Franklin – Carolina Panthers S
After an encouraging first season with the Carolina Panthers, Sam Franklin’s regression in 2021 has left his status with the organization in doubt. The safety faces a real fight for his status on the 53-man roster after Xavier Woods signed in free agency, with Juston Burris and Sean Chandler also re-signed to further improve depth.
If the Panthers add another safety at some point in the draft, then it only makes Franklin’s life tougher for a bounce-back campaign. Something that is entirely possible considering how many high-upside prospects could be available in the mid-to-late rounds.
Franklin is a Matt Rhule guy and was quickly snapped up in the 2021 undrafted free agency period. But there is no room for sentiment in the NFL and he could be on the outside looking in when it’s all said and done.