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Carolina Panthers 7-Round 2022 Mock Draft: A Solution At QB

By Andrew Fischer

Jan 9, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2022; Tampa, Florida, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Sam Darnold (14) throws the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 31: Leon O’Neal Jr. #9 of the Texas A&M Aggies reacts against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field on December 31, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – DECEMBER 31: Leon O’Neal Jr. #9 of the Texas A&M Aggies reacts against the North Carolina State Wolfpack during the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field on December 31, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Round 5, 148th Overall: Leon O’Neal, S, Texas A&M

For the Panthers, two of their three strong safeties are set to be free agents (Juston Burrus and Sean Chandler), which is why they elect to take Texas A&M’s Leon O’Neal Jr. in this 2022 NFL Mock Draft.

The 6’1” 211-pound O’Neal puts the “strong” in “strong safety.” He’s a ferocious tackler and will come up and lay the wood to ball carriers. He does have a tendency to go high a bit too often on tackles, but that can be corrected with coaching. A coach would much rather have to dial a player’s aggression back than to try to ramp it up.

Leon O’Neal has experience both playing up near the line of scrimmage and as a safety in the back end. He’s not the fastest player but is projected to run a 4.53 40-yard dash, which isn’t too bad. He’s also quick when charging up to the line of scrimmage which can mean that he plays faster than his testing numbers.

Despite being a strong safety, O’Neal has shown a propensity to sit back and watch the quarterback’s eyes, letting that dictate where the he moves to on a given play. To that end, he’s decent in coverage, tallying six career interceptions and 12 career passes defended in his four years at Texas A&M. The last thing I’ll mention is his return ability. Leon O’Neal averaged 27 yards per interception return and had an 85-yard interception return for a touchdown last season.

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