Sure, the Carolina Panthers are missing out on the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, but they're still in really good shape to see some first-round action.
It came at the cost of Brian Burns' departure, but the Panthers have two second-round picks in Nos. 33 and 39 and those two selections, if packaged together, are a nice little tandem.
Per Rich Hill's draft trade value chart, Nos. 33 and 39 are worth 180 and 153 points, individually, and 313 together. The 313 points are worth around the equivalent of the 16th overall pick, where the team can land an elite prospect. If you're using the Jimmy Johnson chart, the picks are worth a combined 1,090 points, which is around the equivalent of the 15th overall pick.
Obviously, that's not the only option, especially if the Panthers want to keep one of the second-rounders. There are a few examples from previous drafts that show how far Carolina could move into the first round if it wanted to.
- Jags-Bucs 2022 trade: This is probably the closest example since it includes the 33rd pick. The Jags traded Nos. 33, 106 (4th rounder), and 180 (6th rounder) in the 2022 draft in order to jump up to No. 27 overall.
- Jets-Titans 2022 trade: The Jets traded Nos. 35, 69 (3rd rounder), and 163 (5th rounder) to the Titans in exchange for the 26th overall pick and the 101st overall pick (3rd rounder).
- Chargers-Patriots 2020 trade: It cost the Chargers just the 37th overall pick and the 71st overall pick (3rd rounder) to jump up 14 spots to No. 23. A very un-Patriots-like trade, if you ask me.
- Colts-Commanders 2019 trade: The Commanders bought the 26th overall pick for the 46th overall pick in the 2019 draft and a 2020 second-rounder. Not a bad deal, at all.
- Seahawks-Giants 2019 trade: The Giants jumped up to No. 30 and it cost them the 37th overall pick, along with Nos. 132 (4th rounder) and 142 (5th rounder).
The Panthers have third- and fourth-rounders, as well as two fifths, to make any of the above situations happen, if they choose.
I think overall, people are underestimating the Panthers' draft position. They actually have a lot of options, here, and don't have to just sit still or hope their guys don't get taken before they pick. And while this is highly doubtful simply because of the franchise's rebuild, they could probably even jump into the top-10 if they wanted to sacrifice next year's first-round pick. But again, that's highly, highly unlikely to happen. It's just more evidence that they can still get a blue chip guy in the first round, if they want.
It'll be interesting to see how Dan Morgan and Dave Canales navigate the draft, but it's clear they have enough at their disposal to get things off to a good start.
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