Carolina Panthers: Late Round Targets In The 2022 NFL Draft
Matt Henningsen, DL, Wisconsin
The Carolina Panthers are a bit thin on the inside when it comes to their defensive line, and Wisconsin’s Matt Henningsen could offer some value and depth at a later point in the draft. I’ve seen Henningsen projected anywhere from the fourth to the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft and his versatility is a big reason why he’s a near lock to hear his name called at the end of April.
Matt Henningsen is 6’3” 295 pounds and played mostly at the defensive tackle spot for the Badgers last season. He also saw some snaps at defensive end as well. His production last year won’t blow anyone away (6 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks) but his performance after the season is what caught the attention of scouts. Matt Henningsen excelled at the East-West Shrine Bowl and showcased supreme athleticism at his pro day. The big defensive lineman benched 225 pounds 22 times and recorded a vertical leap of 37.5 inches. That vertical would have been the top number for any defensive tackle at the NFL combine.
It’s not just the physical traits that make Matt Henningsen an intriguing prospect. He’s plays hard and is a high effort and intense player. He’ll pursue the play from sideline to sideline as long as the whistle hasn’t been blown. This is especially evident on plays when the offense tries to run the ball. Henningsen has the strength to control multiple gaps on running plays, and lineman have a tough time moving him off of his spot.
On pashing rushing reps, Matt Henningsen often uses his upper body strength to punch and rip through offensive linemen at the snap. He utilizes a club move to gain the upper hand at the snap which allows him to quickly transition into his bull rush.
Henningsen does have a few flaws. He needs to work on his upper and lower body technique. Henningsen needs to learn to consistently play with a lower base and with better leverage on a regular basis. He’s shown flashes when it comes to using his hands effectively, but he must improve his precision and form when it comes to using his hands against opposing offensive linemen. Despite the testing numbers, Matt Henningsen isn’t a super athlete, nor super pliable like some of the better defensive linemen in this class. But he’d be a nice value pick in the fifth or sixth round for the Carolina Panthers and could help them bolster their depth at the interior defensive line spots.