4 Carolina Panthers draft hits and misses from 2022 so far

Carolina Panthers passed on Isaiah Likely

The Carolina Panthers weren’t alone in this one. But considering their need for tight-end improvements, not taking a chance on Isaiah Likely was an error of judgment after the promising young player’s eye-catching start to life in the pros.

Likely is playing second-fiddle to Mark Andrews on the Baltimore Ravens, which isn’t unexpected. However, the former Coastal Carolina standout has already shown enough to suggest he can become a productive starter when called upon.

There is some work to do in terms of blocking, but Likely’s athleticism and ball skills make him a significant threat that opposing teams must take seriously whenever he’s on the field. Something the Panthers need to be wary of when they come up against the Ravens in Week 11.

Carolina hitched their wagon to Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble, which was largely down to the immediate influence of offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. Both players block well, but their inability to get open consistently is proving detrimental to this offense’s chances of gaining meaningful yards over the middle.

With a new coaching staff coming into the fold next year, it might be worth Carolina using one of their recently acquired selections from the Christian McCaffrey trade on finding a tight end capable of becoming dominant. If they’d taken a chance on Likely – who went No. 139 overall – this wouldn’t be a pressing need in the slightest.