Way-too-early Carolina Panthers NFL Draft preview
The 2024 NFL Draft is April 25-27 in Detroit. Here is the first-round order, per Tankathon.
If the Panthers had a time machine, they would undo last year's trade with the Bears. In that deal, Carolina sent Chicago its first-round picks for 2023 and 2024 in exchange for last year's draft's No. 1 overall pick, which it used on quarterback Bryce Young.
Last season, Young ranked 31st in completion percentage (59.8%) and last in passer rating (73.7). Per Stathead, Young's 11 touchdown passes were the fewest by any quarterback to start at least 16 games since David Carr in 2006.
Unfortunately for Carolina, this isn't a science fiction novel. The Panthers must live with the consequences of that decision, ideally mitigating the damage done by it. But with only six draft picks, Carolina can't afford any missed swings.
Here are three players for the Panthers to target when they make the first selection at the top of the second round.
2023 record: 2-15 | First-round pick: N/A | Team needs: WR, OL, TE
Potential second-round draft picks (No. 33 overall): Xavier Legette, WR, South Carolina; Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State; Jordan Morgan, OL, Arizona
Legette and Sinnott both wowed at the combine and could be huge boosts to the Panthers offense. Legette ran a 4.39 40-yard dash, which was no surprise to anyone who watched him turn this three-yard reception on a crossing route into a 76-yard touchdown against Mississippi State in 2023.
ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller compared Legette to A.J. Brown from a physical standpoint and with his broad frame and remarkable athleticism, it's easy to understand the comp.
Despite the Panthers' decision to spend last year's second-round pick on another wideout who drew comparisons to Brown, Jonathan Mingo, not paying immediate dividends, Legette should be considered if available.
Meanwhile, Sinnott posted a 40-inch vertical, the best among tight ends at the combine, which is almost as impressive as his ability as a run-blocker.
In the first play of this player profile on running back Treshaun Ward, Sinnott (No. 34) lines up off the line of scrimmage to the right of the formation and pulls left at the snap. He finds a defender to block, springing Ward for a big gain.
His talent as a blocker also benefited Kansas State's red-zone passing offense, including against Missouri on this play when he began as though he was crashing down for a block on a quarterback power before leaking out for the touchdown.
Sinnott can help keep defenses on their toes by virtue of being an asset in running and passing situations. He is just as likely to deliver a crucial run block as to stretch the field vertically, such as on this excellent one-handed grab against the Tigers.
The offensive line was arguably Carolina's most disappointing unit last season. Per ESPN, the line was 23rd in pass-block win-rate rankings and 30th in run-block. Morgan (No. 77) showed in his matchup against top edge-rusher prospect Laiatu Latu (No. 15) in 2023 that he has the traits to be an NFL starter.
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