Will ‘speed kills’ approach pay off for the Carolina Panthers?

The Carolina Panthers are hoping their ‘speed kills’ approach to the 2022 NFL Draft pays off for them in a big way next season and into the future.

There was plenty to worry about heading into the 2022 NFL Draft for the Carolina Panthers. However, things unfolded far better than anyone really anticipated throughout the three-day selection process.

The Panthers had the pick of left tackles – eventually going with Ikem Ekwonu – after five defensive players went off the board early on. This was followed by as dramatic a quarterback drop as one can remember – something that enabled Carolina to give up minimal compensation in a trade-up to secure the services of Ole Miss product Matt Corral.

These moves solidified two key problem positional groups. So the Panthers used the rest of their selections on finding prospects with high upside and valuable athletic traits that can be developed by a revamped coaching staff.

Speed was Carolina’s order of the day late in the draft.

Something that was further reflected in the players brought on board.

The likes of Amare Barno and Kalon Barnes had some of the fastest 40-yard dash times at the NFL Scouting Combine. Brandon Smith, a gifted but raw linebacker out of Penn State, also came with an exceptionally high Relative Athletic Score, which is fast becoming a primary measuring stick regarding college players entering the NFL.

Carolina has gained a tremendous amount of value from their drafts since Matt Rhule became head coach. This was enhanced considerably by the arrival of general manager Scott Fitterer, who once again manipulated the draft board in an exemplary fashion this time around to bring some real hope that things might finally be on the up.

Carolina Panthers are now a draft and develop team

Fitterer explained the process in the mid-to-late rounds, outlining that the Panthers are now a draft and develop team rather than risking big moves on veterans that may or may not pan out.

Surprising? A little.

Is this new approach welcome? Undoubtedly.

"“What was standing there (Saturday) was a bunch of really athletic, almost freakish athletic guys. We’re a draft-and-develop organization; that’s where we trust our coaches to develop them. Once we get them here and they become ours, we can get them with the coaches, and put them in a position where they can excel. Until they do that, we know that they can contribute on special teams with their speed and athleticism.”"

Many prospects come into the NFL with everything going for them athletically. However, it takes an exceptional amount of work, the right fit, and premium coaching for them to reach or even exceed expectations.

Carolina gutted its coaching staff after another five-win season. This was another underrated move early in the offseason, with far more legitimate pro experience and success across the staff now than there has even been under Rhule.

Of course, there are some real doubts about Rhule and whether or not he’s the man for the job. Most have already made up their minds on the former Baylor man, but excuses will be non-existent now the Panthers have a potentially elite left tackle and a franchise quarterback for good measure.

The lower down the draft you take players, the longer it might take them to adjust and develop.

There are some odd exceptions. But the Panthers got some nice production out of Keith Taylor Jr., Daviyon Nixon, and Phil Hoskins in 2021 when they saw the field, so if Fitterer has found the right men again, their chances of surprising people next season cannot be dismissed entirely.

And who knows, Rhule might just be able to turn around this sinking ship after all.