Panthers address defense first in early two-round 2022 mock draft

They have the Panthers picking at No. 10 overall and using that selection on Alabama linebacker Christian Harris.

Panthers GM Scott Fitterer hit cornerback and defensive tackle hard in the 2021 NFL draft, investing two picks at both positions. It made sense given the lack of depth Carolina had going in at those spots.

While we’re expecting an above-average season defensively, it’s still not hard to imagine this team craving more talent on the back end next year. Free safety is their biggest question mark, but their linebacker corps could also use some fresh blood. Heading into 2021, Shaq Thompson is 27 years old, Jermaine Carter is 26 and Denzel Perryman is 28. So, it makes sense to draft another in 2022 no matter how well this inside trio plays.

Could Carolina take a chance on a top linebacker prospect and roll the dice on his potential in round one? That’s the scenario that plays out in a new two-round 2022 mock at Draft Wire. They have the Panthers picking at No. 10 overall and using that selection on Alabama linebacker Christian Harris.

Harris (6-foot-2, 232 pounds) has certainly had his moments in his first two years under Nick Saban. Here’s a look at some of his college tape.

 

In 25 games, Harris has done a bit of everything, posting 140 tackles, 14.5 for a loss, 4.5 sacks and one interception.

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