4 recent Panthers draft picks under threat ahead of 2022 camp
By Dean Jones
Which recent draft picks made by the Carolina Panthers find themselves under threat ahead of the team’s training camp in 2022?
We are now just a few weeks away from the Carolina Panthers taking the field for a crucial Week 1 encounter against the Cleveland Browns. This game comes with plenty of storylines attached following the trade for Baker Mayfield, but it should not distract anyone from what a pivotal campaign it is overall for a team with a number of questions to answer.
Matt Rhule is getting his magical third season where everything is expected to start trending in the right direction. The Panthers are counting on it and there is evidence to suggest this can be accomplished based on his college rebuilding, but the NFL is a completely different ball game and the jury is still out, in all honesty.
Relying on youth is an ethos Carolina will be doing once again in 2022. Although there are also some experienced figures within the locker room that will hopefully steer them in the right direction in pursuit of progression.
For some, it might not be that easy. On this subject, here are four recent Panthers draft picks that could find themselves under threat ahead of the team’s training camp in 2022.
Draft Pick No. 1
Stantley Thomas-Oliver III – Carolina Panthers CB
The Carolina Panthers cornerback room is a crowded one despite All-Pro Stephon Gilmore leaving in free agency for the Indianapolis Colts. Something that leaves the future of Stantley Thomas-Oliver III in some doubt before Year 3 of his professional career.
Thomas-Oliver is a solid special teamer that’s also made some impressive plays on the rotation over the last two seasons. However, generating meaningful reps will be difficult behind Jaycee Horn, Donte Jackson, Keith Taylor, and C.J. Henderson in 2022.
The former seventh-round pick could still make the team. But if the likes of rookie Kalon Barnes come on quicker than anticipated, then Thomas-Oliver being released is another potential scenario.