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2022 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams: Who won the NFL Draft?

By Sayre Bedinger

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 28: Kayvon Thibodeaux poses onstage after being selected fifth by the New York Giants during round one of the 2022 NFL Draft on April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 28: Kayvon Thibodeaux poses onstage after being selected fifth by the New York Giants during round one of the 2022 NFL Draft on April 28, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) /
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2022 NFL Draft
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 /

Carolina Panthers 2022 NFL Draft grade: B

6. Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
94. Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
120. Brandon Smith, LB, Penn State
189. Amaré Barno, EDGE, Virginia Tech
199. Cade Mays, OL, Tennessee
242. Kalon Barnes, CB, Baylor

The Carolina Panthers managed to turn a really bad situation into a really decent one in this year’s NFL Draft.

Heading into the Draft, the Panthers had the sixth pick overall, and then after that, nothing for the next couple of rounds. Given the fact that this team didn’t have a resolution at the quarterback position coming in, and Matt Rhule is presumably on the hot seat a bit, it felt like the Panthers were headed for a losing situation no matter what.

And then the board fell how it did.

The Panthers managed to land Ikem Ekwonu at pick number six overall, a scenario that hasn’t really presented itself in mock drafts for at least a month, if not longer.

Some people thought Matt Corral was an option for the Panthers at six overall, and they managed to get him at pick number 94 after trading up.

It’s hard to argue with the value the Panthers got at picks 6 and 94, even if you don’t love Corral’s pro projection. That’s a dart worth throwing.

The Panthers then traded up to pick 120 overall and landed ultra-athletic linebacker Brandon Smith out of Penn State who should be able to contribute immediately defensively and on special teams.

The real wild card pick of this class is Virginia Tech pass rusher Amaré Barno, a ridiculously fast pass rusher with an elite first step.

Even if he’s not a full-time starter, Barno should be able to have a role.

Overall, it’s tough to say the Panthers did anything but a solid job with this class overall and especially given what they started with.

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