6 exciting draft prospects the Carolina Panthers must consider on Day 3

Carolina Panthers could draft Smoke Monday

• Safety | Auburn

If defensive coordinator Phil Snow has his way, the Carolina Panthers will get themselves another safety before the 2022 NFL Draft comes to a conclusion. Those in power did pick up Xavier Woods in free agency and re-sign Juston Burris and Sean Chandler for depth, but another talented young body wouldn’t hurt in the slightest.

Nobody potentially coming in from the college ranks would be expected to contribute immediately. The Panthers have Jeremy Chinn and Woods for that, so a development project with starting potential over time might be worth its weight in gold.

After failing to hear his name called on Day 2, Smoke Monday is one of the better options available and would be a nice addition to the Panthers. He has plenty of proven SEC experience at Auburn and although there are some flaws, it would only be a work in progress rather than an instant starter, in any case.

Monday is a physical hitter that likes nothing more than assisting at the second level. He is a thumping tackler with a natural instinct to see plays developing quickly, which is matched by silky mobility that helps out the prospect in coverage.

Providing Monday improves his strength and tackling technique in the pros, then a productive career could be in the offing. Whether that will be in Carolina or not is the big question.