Carolina Panthers are a sneaky playoff bet for the 2022 season
The Carolina Panthers are not scaring anybody, but they can easily be a playoff team by adding either Baker Mayfield or Jimmy Garoppolo for 2022.
I have been a fan of what the Carolina Panthers have done this season. I think fans should be cautiously optimistic about what they’ve put together. As a die-hard Broncos fan, I have been used to the “good roster but they need a quarterback” phrase for over five years.
However, that changed when the team added Russell Wilson. I genuinely think the Panthers are in a similar boat–they have a very good and perhaps underrated roster but have a giant, black hole-sized…hole at quarterback.
The Panthers, most importantly, need to find a stable signal-caller for 2022, but they managed to do quite a bit more besides that.
They overhauled their offensive line, which was a weakness in 2021, by signing interior players Bradley Bozeman and Austin Corbett in free agency, who are both slightly above-average players. They also drafted Ikey Ekwonu back in April, who looks to be a franchise left tackle.
Furthermore, they added to their defense by signing talented defensive back Xavier Woods, linebackers Cory Littleton and Damien Wilson, and added underrated defensive tackle Matthew Ioannidis. On paper, Carolina’s defense is legit.
In their first 10 games of 2021, their defense was allowing just 19.3 points per game.
As for the offense, besides the offensive line, they re-upped DJ Moore on a massive extension, still have Robby Anderson, and are surely hoping Christian McCaffrey can stay healthy.
Outside of tight end, which might be a question mark, the Panthers’ offense is set.
Their defense has great talent and cornerstone players in Jeremy Chinn, Jaycee Horn, Derrick Brown, and Brian Burns.
I would expect the club to be a pass-rushing force in 2022 with a very solid secondary, which by the way, also has CJ Henderson, a former high draft pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Being that their in the NFC, which is a relatively wide-open conference, the Panthers have a legitimate shot at securing a Wild Card spot.
This is where Baker Mayfield and Jimmy Garoppolo come into play. The Panthers simply need to make a trade for one of them. Mayfield is clearly better and has less of an injury concern, but Garoppolo could be favored because of his stability and veteran leadership.
Mayfield gives them the best chance at a longer-term option, plus, it’s not like he’d be coming into a wildly hectic situation on offense. The offensive line appears to be set, and the weapons are very good.
As for Garoppolo, his shoulder surgery is a concern, but he’s won a ton of games that he’s played and has valuable playoff experience.
Do not count out the Carolina Panthers for 2022. Acquiring Mayfield or Garoppolo will put them in the mix.