Carolina Panthers 2022 Mock Draft: Multiple Trades To Acquire Picks

Round 5, 142nd Overall: Grant Calcaterra, TE, SMU

The Carolina Panthers could address the tight end position in free agency with multiple names set to hit the market. Patience will be the name of the game with Tommy Tremble, who can grow into a good starter. However, finding a consistent receiving threat right now is something worth looking into.

It’s been a wild journey for Grant Calcaterra, who retired from playing after a few seasons with Oklahoma. He made his return with SMU, catching 38 passes for 465 yards and four touchdowns in 2021. Calcaterra is a good receiving threat with sufficient speed to work up the seam, strong hands, and great body control and ball skills to be a red zone threat.

Round 5, 147th Overall: Verone McKinley III, S, Oregon

One of the Panthers’ areas of strength is the secondary, where they sit loaded at the corner position and have a stud safety in Jeremy Chinn. Still, they are in need of a long-term starter who can play in deep zones and handle things on the back end.

Verone McKinley is the latest of good Oregon defenders to enter the draft in the last couple of seasons. McKinley has the high football IQ to play in multiple spots at safety, and has disciplined eyes and a knack for finding the football.