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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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Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the sixth overall pick to the Carolina Panthers during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 28, 2022; Las Vegas, NV, USA; North Carolina State offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected as the sixth overall pick to the Carolina Panthers during the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft at the NFL Draft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

Overall Grade: B

Getting the local guy Ikem Ekwonu, who was also regarded as the best tackle prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft is a huge win. The Carolina Panthers then got their potential franchise quarterback Matt Corral in the third round due to some fortuitous draft-board luck. They then selected Penn State linebacker Brandon Smith after trading up for him in the fourth round. I didn’t like that pick very much, and it was basically the sole reason I couldn’t give the Panthers an A on this draft.

It also hurt that Carolina didn’t have a full allotment of picks due to previous trades. That affects the grade I give because many teams had more than seven picks in this draft, upping their chances of selecting players that can contribute to their teams. Those teams can also double up on positions or address more needs with their picks. Carolina didn’t have that luxury.

The Carolina Panthers and general manager Scott Fitterer also seemed to highly value speed. Three of their final four selections (Smith, Barno, and Barnes) all ran notably fast 40-yard dashes. This is a bold strategy in the NFL, especially with players who won’t traditionally have the ball in their hands. Everybody seems to want fast players, but sometimes there’s more to it than that. Teams typically want good football players who are fast, not simply track athletes with pads on.

The good thing for Scott Fitterer is, if Ikem Ekwonu and Matt Corral are stars, it won’t matter much whether his middle and late round picks pan out, because Carolina will likely be squarely in the playoff picture and competing for the NFC South crown. But if their top two picks don’t produce and Carolina’s speed-based strategy fizzles, Matt Rhule might not be the only one on his way out of Charlotte; Fitterer might be out the door too.

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