What can the Carolina Panthers expect from their final three selections from what appears to be a very successful haul during the 2022 NFL Draft?
The Carolina Panthers rounded off the 2022 NFL Draft with three picks in the final two rounds. This concluded another impressive selection process from the organization, which filled significant needs early on before acquiring some eye-catching prospects with high athletic traits that can hopefully transition well to the next level with additional coaching.
What comes next for each college recruit will be vitally important. Rookie minicamp will come around quickly and this is swiftly followed by what is going to be another intense training camp in the stifling heat of Spartanburg, South Carolina.
The Panthers started the draft with six picks and ended with the same number. They did ship out next year’s third-round selection in a trade-up to acquire quarterback Matt Corral, who will now look to push Sam Darnold all the way throughout the preparation period in pursuit of the starting job.
Amare Barno, Cade Mays, and () were some of the lesser-heralded prospects to join the Panthers later on in the draft. All three come with upside, but expecting any of them to come in and start right away does appear unrealistic at this juncture.
With this in mind, we took a look at the trio to see what the Panthers can expect next season and beyond.
Amare Barno – Carolina Panthers DE/OLB
- No. 189 overall selection
The Carolina Panthers were in need of bolstering their depth chart from a pass-rushing standpoint at some stage during the 2022 NFL Draft. Losing Haason Reddick in free agency was a calculated risk and even though replicating 11 sacks from elsewhere will be difficult, it’s not entirely out of the question providing the likes of Yetur Gross-Matos and Marquis Haynes make the necessary leaps forward.
Carolina will also look to blend Amare Barno into the rotation sooner rather than later. The former Virginia Tech standout comes into the organization as the No. 189 overall selection and with a ton of high-caliber athletic attributes that could see him become a valuable contributor over time.
Barno was the fastest edge rusher in this draft class. He blazed a trail at the NFL Scouting Combine and if this can be harnessed into game-day situations more often, the Panthers have a real player on their hands.
Shooting gaps in obvious pass-rushing situations is an area where Barno thrives. There is also a good opportunity for the player to assist on special teams before assuming a prominent spot on the rotation.
There are some things Barno needs to work on. He is raw and does get overawed by experienced offensive linemen on occasions, which does lead to frustrating production at times.
Carolina obviously took everything into account where Barno is concerned. The upside is high, but expecting miracles right away would be pushing things just a little.
Cade Mays – Carolina Panthers OL
- No. 199 overall selection
Versatility on the offensive line is something that head coach Matt Rhule values highly. This might be sometimes to his detriment as displayed in 2021 with Brady Christensen’s mismanagement, but it’s a strategy he’s not going away from based on the Carolina Panthers selecting Cade Mays at No. 199 overall.
Mays has the scope to play anywhere across the offensive line interior. He has experience at either guard spot and can also fill in at center if the situation calls for it.
Another thing Mays has going for him is high-end physical traits. The Tennessee product has all the height and length normally associated with NFL players – something else that Rhule takes heavily into account.
Mays is a solid run blocker that can hold his own against the pass. But his footwork wouldn’t be classed as stellar, which leaves him susceptible to speedier rushers and needs work.
This is nothing more than a development project for the Panthers. Mays needs to be brought on gradually and if things go well, then a spot on the depth chart later on in the campaign cannot be ruled out.
One suspects this pick might have been Jamaree Salyer, Georgia’s dominant lineman who dropped significantly before going to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Kalon Barnes – Carolina Panthers CB/KR
The Carolina Panthers have had some success with their seventh-round selections since Matt Rhule became head coach. Stantley Thomas-Oliver III and Phil Hoskins both became members of the 53-man roster and in the defensive tackle’s case, he might have a bigger part to play after flashing real promise in 2021.
Carolina will be hoping things transpire in a similar fashion where Kalon Barnes is concerned. The defensive back is no stranger to Rhule from their time together in college at Baylor and the prospect gained national headlines for a blistering display of speed at the NFL Scouting Combine to further enhance his stock.
This wasn’t enough for Barnes to hear his name called a little earlier. However, his previous relationship with Rhule should serve him well considering the coach knows what he’s capable of better than most.
Barnes is a smooth mover that has quick feet to match his 4.26-second 40-yard dash time. He is perhaps best suited to a zone scheme, but speed alone will not make up for the player’s poor technique at times once he comes up against NFL wide receivers that will punish every mistake.
Again, this is a raw prospect with exceptional athletic traits. Something the Panthers bet on in a big way over the final two rounds.