4 silent assassins that can propel the Carolina Panthers in 2022
By Dean Jones
Brandon Smith – Carolina Panthers LB
Finding a long-term answer to the middle linebacker position since Luke Kuechly’s retirement has been a thankless task for the Carolina Panthers. Although the likes of Damien Wilson and Cory Littleton could be band-aid fixes right out of the gate, there is a growing belief that the team might have struck gold in this area during the 2022 NFL Draft.
The Panthers identified Brandon Smith as a prospect of interest and struck with conviction to trade up and acquire the Penn State product at No. 120 overall. After bedding in gradually this offseason, the linebacker has come to life over the last few weeks to further cement his status on the defensive rotation.
Smith is explosive, physical, and gets to the spot extremely quickly. His physical attributes were not the problem coming out of college, so if the player can refine positional sense and gap discipline against the run, the Panthers have a potential difference-maker on their hands.
Asking Smith to assume starting duties immediately might be a push. But there is nothing to suggest the defender cannot make his presence felt on the rotation until he is ready to take full responsibilities.
General manager Scott Fitterer is renowned for finding gems later in the draft. Smith is the latest in a long line that looks more than capable of achieving such feats providing he stays clear of injuries as a rookie.