The Carolina Panthers aren’t exactly in an enviable position with their first-round pick in the 2022 NFL draft. But they’re pretty close to it.
That’s because they’ll be playing a simple numbers game, as they’re likely hoping for at least one of three prospects—offensive linemen Evan Neal, Ikem Ekwonu and/or Charles Cross—to make it past the five teams ahead of them. And now, that game may be even simpler for them to endure.
According to Tony Pauline of Pro Football Network, the Panthers are particularly high on two of those hog mollies—making their odds of landing a dream pick even more favorable.
“Pick No. 6 to the Carolina Panthers is not out of the question,” Pauline says of Cross, whose stock is reportedly rising. “People in league circles believe it will happen. Though they need a quarterback, left tackle is also a pressing need. If Cross does come off the board to the Panthers, that pick dictates even more afterward.”
Soon after that initial report, Pauline swooped back in with an interesting update—throwing the local NC State product into the mix.
“Since posting this story, sources close to the Panthers tell PFN that right now, it comes down to a pair of players for Carolina – Charles Cross or Ikem Ekwonu,” he added. “However, it’s questionable that Ekwonu lasts until the sixth pick.”
Of the big three, Cross is the likeliest to slip through the cracks. Neal’s rare pedigree has him as the consensus No. 1 at the position while Ekwonu would be a more optimal fit for teams such as the Houston Texans and New York Giants—who hold the third and fifth picks, respectively.
But whether this is all ultimately smoke or not, the Panthers are going to wind up with a potential pillar for the roster—from either side of the ball. And maybe it’ll just end up being the black hole under center that’s addressed with that sixth overall selection.
Welcome to draft season.
