Four important questions for the Panthers after the 2022 NFL draft
The Panthers made six draft selections in their second draft under general manager Scott Fitterer. For a second consecutive year, Fitterer made multiple draft-day trades, which helped Carolina land rookie quarterback Matt Corral.
Despite weeks of speculation that Carolina wanted to trade back from No. 6, the Panthers stayed put and picked N.C. State’s Ikem Ekwonu. Surprisingly, Ekwonu was the first offensive player drafted after five consecutive defensive players went before him. After adding Ekwonu and Corral Carolina selected an offensive lineman and three defensive players to complete its class.
As the Panthers prepare for their roster to come together during OTAs, rookie minicamp and then mandatory minicamp in June, here are four big questions they are still facing.
Are the Panthers done adding quarterbacks?
The Panthers’ quarterback room improved during the draft. There is a lot to like about Corral. Some evaluators considered him the top quarterback in the 2022 class. His tight and compact throwing motion will mesh perfectly with new offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo’s system.
But it is unlikely he is a Week 1 starter. Which means Sam Darnold is the early favorite to start the season. However, that could change if Carolina found a way to add either Jimmy Garoppolo or Baker Mayfield at an affordable number. During the draft, Fitterer and the Browns talked about a Mayfield trade but could not agree on how much of Mayfield’s fully guaranteed $18.9 million they should pay.
Carolina feels the Browns have no leverage. As the rookie quarterbacks kept falling in the draft, the Panthers had even less urgency to acquire Mayfield. Talks stalled and have been dead since. But that could change if the Browns decide to eat a large chunk of Mayfield’s contract. Mayfield would improve the Panthers’ quarterback room while protecting Corral from having to play too soon.
The problem is Darnold. Could Carolina feature a room with two top-three 2018 picks and Corral? Maybe. But ideally, Fitterer would find a way to offload Darnold while trading for Mayfield or Garoppolo.
“The room could still use a veteran presence,” Pro Football Focus’s Doug Kyed told The Observer. “I bet Matt Rhule would like to add Baker Mayfield or Jimmy Garoppolo still.”
Will Ekwonu start at left tackle?
The Panthers No. 6 overall pick should be the early favorite to start Week 1 at left tackle. If he does then hopefully he starts there again in 2023, which would end an ugly streak of rotating Panthers’ left tackles. Carolina has started six different left tackles in Week 1 each of the past six years. Ekwonu should snap that trend.
But it is OK if he doesn’t start at left tackle immediately. For how polished Ekwonu is as a run blocker, he has room to improve in pass protection. Several scouts described him as “raw” in pass protection. Those same evaluators think he should play guard his first few years in the league, allowing time for his pass sets to improve.
Carolina believes in second-year offensive lineman Brady Christensen. He can play both tackle and guard as well. The Panthers are in a comfortable and flexible situation with Ekwonu and their entire offensive line.
When will Matt Corral start?
Eventually, Corral will get an opportunity to show why he should’ve been higher than a third-round pick. Whether that is in Week 1 or later in the season will depend on how he performs during training camp.
Drafting Corral was a top-down team decision. From qwner David Tepper to coach Matt Rhule and Fitterer, they all believe in Corral. Even McAdoo had a say in picking him. All of that bodes well for Corral eventually earning an opportunity to play.
But the reality is he is still a third-round selection. His drop — along with all the other quarterbacks who fell — signals how the league feels about this class. No one thinks it’s that good.
If the Panthers land another top-10 pick in 2023 then there is a strong chance they’ll be in the quarterback market, again.
“Quarterbacks who were taken in the third round allow (easily replacing them) at least be a possibility,” Kyed said. “If you’re picking high next year and C.J. Stroud or Bryce Young are available, then you definitely take those guys, and no one will question it because Corral was just a third-round pick.”
Is Matt Rhule still on the hot seat?
The simple answer is yes. But since Tepper spoke to the media before the draft, there is a more calm and focused energy around the organization.
It’s been a successful offseason in Carolina. The team is better at every position besides the defensive line. Adding Garoppolo or Mayfield could put the Panthers in the wild-card picture. If the team made the playoffs then there is a good chance Rhule would return for a fourth season.
Carolina also benefits from playing in the NFC. The conference is weaker than it has been in a while because a lot of talent migrated to the AFC. Russell Wilson left Seattle for Denver. Packers receiver Davante Adams bolted to Las Vegas. The Cowboys traded Amari Cooper to Cleveland. Deshaun Watson stayed in the AFC. Von Miller signed in Buffalo after winning a Super Bowl with Los Angeles.
That’s a lot of star power Panthers coordinators no longer have to worry about. They have a long ways to go but things are looking up for Rhule and the Panthers after a successful draft weekend.
“I do think there is a pathway to the playoffs,” Kyed said. “But I do think they need to do something else at quarterback for that to happen. I cannot envision Corral or Sam Darnold leading them to the playoffs.”
This story was originally published May 4, 2022 at 5:53 PM.
