Kalon Barnes selected by Carolina Panthers on Day 3

The Carolina Panthers selected Kalon Barnes with the 242nd-overall pick in the seventh round of the 2022 NFL Draft. 

Barnes will be reunited with head coach Matt Rhule and defensive coordinator Phil Snow in Charlotte. 

The 5-foot-11 1/2, 183-pound cornerback finished his four years in Waco with 68 career tackles, 3.5 for loss, three interceptions, one forced fumble, and fourteen pass breakups over 41 games and 15 starts.

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Following the Bears’ Big 12 Championship and Sugar Bowl run, Barnes took part in the East-West Shrine Bowl in Las Vegas, receiving mixed reviews.

But his big moment for pro scouts occurred at the NFL Combine, where he ran the fastest 40-yard dash among all prospects with a 4.23. That also marked the second-fastest time in Combine history.

Boogie’s speed was no secret, but there seemed to be a consensus among scouts that Barnes needs far more polishing and consistency. The great news for him is an opportunity came, and with a staff, that knows what makes him tick already.  

Barnes is the third Baylor defensive back selected in this year’s draft joining 2nd round pick Jalen Pitre and 3rd rounder JT Woods. He’s also the sixth Bear taken overall.

Lance Zierlein, a draft analyst for NFL.com, said this about Barnes: “Cornerback with the traits worthy of consideration for a late-round pick. Barnes has legitimate track speed, but his play can be too reliant upon that aspect of his game. He's a better athlete than cover man, often losing track of his coverage duties. He's athletic and has no excuses for not playing with better technique. Barnes' length and ball skills could have a team willing to plug him into a practice squad slot to see if there is more consistent football ahead for him.”