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Carolina Panthers 2022 NFL Draft Grades: Value in QB Selection

By Andrew Fischer

Jan 1, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Matt Corral (2) makes a throw against the Baylor Bears in the second quarter in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2022; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Matt Corral (2) makes a throw against the Baylor Bears in the second quarter in the 2022 Sugar Bowl at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 23, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Brandon Smith (12) and safety Jaquan Brisker (1) against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2021; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Brandon Smith (12) and safety Jaquan Brisker (1) against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the second half at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports /

Round 4, 120th Overall: Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State

Grade: C

Another trade up for Scott Fitterer, this time for a raw but speedy linebacker from Penn State. The Carolina Panthers gave up two fifth round picks (numbers 144 and 149 overall) to receive pick number 120 and pick number 189. Carolina definitely needed a linebacker after both Haason Reddick and Jermaine Carter Jr. left in free agency, but I’m not a big fan of them trading up for Smith.

At 6’4” and 250 pounds, Brandon Smith ran a 4.52 in the 40-yard dash. He’s big enough and athletic enough to play at different spots on the second level, including rushing the passer and playing in coverage.

But to me, it’s hard to justify trading up for a player who has so much work to do when it comes to tackling technique, run support, and coverage ability. Many people say that teams draft traits over production, and that makes sense, but there have been many busts that tested well and had supreme athleticism. Sometimes the athletic freaks just can’t put it all together. I’m not saying that’s going to happen here with Brandon Smith, which is why I gave a C grade, but he’s got a lot of technical refinement ahead of him if he’s going to be a consistent starter in the NFL for years to come.

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