Ranking the Panthers’ likely scenarios for the 6th overall pick
The Carolina Panthers can go a number of ways with the 2022 NFL draft’s sixth overall pick.
Will they try to secure their own franchise quarterback? Can they finally close the revolving door at left tackle? Or could they trade down and fill out multiple needs?
Well, we’ll find out on Thursday. But until then, let’s rank the Panthers’ most likely outcomes for their all-important first-round selection.
Any quarterback not named Malik Willis
Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
The passer-needy Panthers cannot force themselves to pick a quarterback just because. If they’re going to gamble on the most polarizing class this position has seen in quite some time, they’ll need to swing for the fences—and the top three guys in this class not named Malik Willis are a bunch of extra-base hits at best.
Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett is a solid thrower, but does not possess one particularly special trait. Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder is solid and pro-ready, but feels more like an Alex Smith than anything. And Matt Corral, who does have a little “wow” factor to his game, had not exhibited the durability and consistent touch it takes to be that dude at the next level.
So why risk it for the biscuit instead of playing it safe? Well, for the same reason why San Francisco is dumping Jimmy Garoppolo for Trey Lance, why Cleveland is dumping Baker Mayfield for Deshaun Watson and why the world champs dumped Jared Goff for Matthew Stafford.
This is a league driven by superstars under center—and if you don’t have one of those, good luck to you. Settling into Pickett, Ridder or Corral at No. 6 may be fine for the short term, but it may have the Panthers once again searching for another answer not too far down the line.
Defensive player
AP Photo/Andy Nelson
Even though they relinquished the second-fewest yards per game (305.9) this past season, the Carolina defense lacked a consistent doggedness. The losses of Haason Reddick, the unit’s leading sack-getter of 2021, and cornerback Stephon Gilmore won’t help much either.
Luckily, they will have the chance to recoup some top defensive talent in the first round. The Panthers will likely have at least one of the premier pass rushers in Kayvon Thibodeaux or Travon Walker, cornerback Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner or safety Kyle Hamilton available to them at the sixth spot.
Each are potential pillars and each are potential game-changing, x-factor kinds of talents. But should the franchise really spend a fourth straight first-rounder on its defense, especially with the other side of the ball being particularly void of an identity?
Trade-down
AP Photo/Michael Conroy
In a little music to general manager Scott Fitterer’s ears, the Panthers could seek a trade-down from No. 6—which would kill a few birds with one stone.
Firstly, Carolina is without picks in the second and third rounds. A move off that premium position would, likely, fill out some of that lost capital for a roster in need of a number of reinforcements.
Secondly, it would justify going with one of those aforementioned quarterbacks at a later time in the draft. Taking on Pickett, Ridder or Corral is a much easier pill to swallow if they’re not doing it near the top of the order.
Plus, there will be a handful of intriguing names still on the board wherever they’d proceed to slither down to. Some players to keep an eye on include defensive ends George Karlaftis and Jermaine Johnson II, cornerback Trent McDuffie, linebacker Devin Lloyd and offensive linemen Tyler Linderbaum, Trevor Penning, Kenyon Green and Zion Johnson.
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One of the Big Three
AP Photo/Chris Seward
Has anyone coined the “Big Three” moniker for the draft’s top three offensive linemen? If not, we’re doing it now.
Nicknames aside, maybe the Panthers shouldn’t let a long-term answer at a long-term problem pass them by. After all, they’ve started 16 different left tackles over the past eight season. 16.
Fortunately, they’ll have three shots with Evan Neal, Ikem Ekwonu and Charles Cross. Unless they’re all gone by that sixth pick, which is a possibility, Carolina will have a ready-to-go blindside protector for Week 1 just waiting to plucked away.
Malik Willis
AP Photo/Kendall Warner
Every quarterback in this class has their respective questions. But there’s no question about which has the most boom of them all.
That, obviously, would be Willis. The 22-year-old’s rocket arm, electric legs, receptiveness to grow and knack for the special play has helped give him the highest ceiling of the position group in 2022.
As we referenced earlier—you, most often times, only go as far as your quarterback. How many teams have hoisted the Lombardi Trophy, or at least remained in constant contention for one, without a stud under center?
Willis has the potential—in the mold of a Josh Allen or Justin Herbert—to be a star. He’s the high-risk gamble, he’s the crown jewel, he’s that swing for the fences.
And as Fitterer even said himself, you have to keep swinging at the quarterback position until you finally have yourself a keeper.
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