7 wide receivers the Panthers could select in the 2022 NFL Draft

Carolina Panthers could select Bo Melton (Rutgers)

Measurements

Height: 5-foot-11 | Weight: 189 pounds

2021 Stats

• 55 receptions
• 618 yards (11.2 YPR)
• 3 touchdowns
• 76.8 PFF grade

To cap things off we’re going to go with a late-round prospect in Bo Melton. With 4.34-second speed in the 40-yard dash, the Rutgers product is another speedster who has the ability to get vertical and really disrupt the defense with his playmaking ability.

Melton is an explosive and solid route runner and was virtually Rutgers’ entire offense when healthy. His numbers aren’t as flashy as they could be, as his college team fell victim to some very poor quarterback play.

Rutgers did everything in their power to feed Melton the ball when they could, over the top, screens, reverses, kick, and punt returns. He was the team.

His experience returning kicks is a big plus for me as a return man is a need for the Carolina Panthers that’s flown under the radar. Melton would provide the juice Alex Erickson could not.

Melton is likely going to get drafted anywhere near round five and beyond. His highlight reel is fun, but he needs to show that he can do his go-to things on every play throughout the course of a game.

Things like his play speed and vertical separation tend to be inconsistent. You know it’s there, but it doesn’t pop as often as you would like.

He wouldn’t be a bad pickup as a late-round pick for Carolina and fits the same mold as Shi Smith, who the Panthers selected last year in the sixth round. Melton is faster, but the idea is the same.