4 biggest 2022 draft priorities for the Carolina Panthers through Week 5
What are some of the biggest draft needs for the Carolina Panthers in 2022 after the first fives games of the current campaign?
So, who else had the Carolina Panthers occupying second place in the division to start the year? Back before the draft this year all we knew were three things:
- The Dallas Cowboys had Dak Prescott back.
- Deshaun Watson was still the Houston Texans starter.
- Sean Peyton was installing a younger gunslinger to replace Drew Brees – in the high-powered New Orleans Saints offense, no less.
At best, a lot of us probably would’ve guessed we’d be 2-3, but the NFL season is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get, and you’ll either be excited or upset with no in-between.
Now, the Panthers find themselves in contention for perhaps a wildcard berth trailing only Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the NFC South lead. The Sam Darnold experiment seems to have paid off and the defense is rising to the occasion with every snap taken.
Carolina Panthers have some weaknesses despite a strong start.
However, that doesn’t mean Carolina is without her weaknesses. In the loss to Dallas, the most obvious one on the offensive line had reduced Ryan Tannehill 2.0 to Darnold 1.0, especially in the third quarter.
However, looking ahead to the draft as the season goes on – and with one of the best general managers in the modern era when it comes to talent spotting – there’s no reason not to think that Carolina isn’t one strong class away from being wildcard hopefuls to divisional elites.
Keep in mind this isn’t a mock draft, so the needs of the team will be ranked differently from how we might actually draft them. Here are the four biggest needs through Week 5 of the 2021 season.