Carolina Panthers pick Tennessee’s Cade Mays in 2022 NFL Draft

Tennessee soccer’s Cade Mays was chosen by the Carolina Panthers within the sixth spherical of the 2022 NFL Draft.

Mays, a 6-foot-6, 325-pounder, is a flexible offensive lineman with expertise in any respect 5 positions. However whether or not that flexibility factors to a energy or weak spot is debatable.

Both manner, Mays was a excessive achiever at two SEC applications. He performed 42 video games with 35 begins at Georgia (2018-19) and Tennessee (2020-21) after a adorned highschool profession as a five-star prospect out of Knox Catholic.

In 2021, he was an All-SEC choice for the Vols regardless of lacking three video games attributable to accidents. Right here’s what Mays brings to the NFL.

The positives

Mays could tout probably the most versatility of any offensive lineman on this draft class.

He began at each guard and deal with spots within the SEC. Throughout Senior Bowl practices, he labored out at heart. He additionally performed in vastly completely different blocking schemes for the Bulldogs and Vols.

Mays can drive defenders off the ball, like he largely did in a run-oriented offense at Georgia. And he can defend the passer like he largely did in an up-tempo offense at Tennessee, the place he allowed just one sack in 493 snaps in 2021.

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Mays’ measurement and energy are splendid. He has a strong preliminary punch. He performs a nasty type that matches within the NFL. And if he stays engaged with a defender, he finishes blocks effectively.

Mays is a ferocious blocker in a confined space, which is why his greatest spot could also be at guard.

The issues

Is Mays a jack-of-all-trades or a master-of-none, a minimum of in NFL phrases? That’s one of many questions that dropped his draft inventory, which was projected as excessive as the primary spherical a 12 months in the past.

Many scouts imagine Mays is just not agile sufficient to dam NFL edge rushers as a deal with. At guard inconsistencies in his stability and method could also be exploited by highly effective inside defensive linemen. And he has potential as a middle, however he doesn’t have a lot expertise there.

Plus, Mays has been hampered by accidents throughout his profession. In 2021, he missed all or most of 5 sport attributable to accidents. He wore a strolling boot on his left foot late within the season.

Ultimate ideas

At greatest, Mays is a flexible offensive lineman who ultimately begins at guard or heart. At worst, his deficiencies are an excessive amount of to beat, and he by no means finds a long-term place.

The truth for Mays might be someplace within the center. He ought to have speedy worth as a utility lineman, able to plugging in at heart, guard or proper deal with in a grueling 17-game NFL schedule.

Whether or not which means Mays develops right into a starter will decide the size of profession. His measurement, energy and taking part in type can’t be missed. However his damage historical past and athletic limitations can’t be discounted both.

Attain Adam Sparks at adam.sparks@knoxnews.com and on Twitter @AdamSparks.