Panthers 7-round NFL mock draft ahead of 2022 college football season

Carolina Panthers select Cam’Ron Kelly

• Safety | North Carolina

The Carolina Panthers will be hoping Jeremy Chinn and Xavier Woods can form a long-term safety partnership. Both players meshed well throughout training camp, with the free-agent signing from the Minnesota Vikings praised for improving communication on the backend during a smooth transition to a different scheme.

With that being said, there are some questions about the depth behind Carolina’s starting tandem. The team cut ties with Kenny Robinson and Juston Burris this week, leaving them with Sam Franklin, Sean Chandler, and cornerback/safety hybrid Myles Hartsfield as their depth pieces in 2022.

Finding a late-round gem that could potentially develop into a contributor might be the easiest – and cheapest – solution next spring. Cam’Ron Kelly is a prospect to watch after rising steadily through the ranks at North Carolina into a starting role over the last two seasons.

Kelly is athletic and reads the game well. There are times when the player takes too many risks that can be his undoing, but the athletic skills Carolina values highly are there to build upon.

General manager Scott Fitterer has a good reputation for finding Day 3 picks that make bigger contributions than anticipated. Kelly is rough around the edges, but the upside cannot be ignored if he takes another leap forward in 2022.