The Panthers are methodically addressing team needs in the 2022 NFL Draft. After addressing offensive line, quarterback and linebacker through the first four rounds, Carolina added more depth along their defensive front seven in the fifth, selecting Virginia Tech edge rusher Amaré Barno with the 189th overall selection.
In a word, Barno is speedy. The 6-foot-6, 245-pound defensive lineman ran a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the combine, the fastest by a player of his position since 2003. That quickness off the snap helped him have a breakout year after moving to defensive end from linebacker in 2020.
Throughout 2020 and 2021, Barno totaled 78 tackles, 10.0 sacks, three passes defended and three forced fumbles. His 16 tackles for a loss in 2020 led the ACC and was second in college football.
After losing Haason Reddick to the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency, the Panthers needed to find stability along their line. Yesterday, they officially picked up the fifth-year option for Brian Burns. Now, the South Carolina native Amaré Barno will have the chance to compete for a spot on the roster.
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