Panthers Draft Two Offensive Difference Makers in Latest ESPN Mock
By Jovan Alford
The Carolina Panthers don’t have a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after using it in the trade last year to move up to the No. 1 overall pick to get former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.
Even though the Panthers won’t be picking on the first night of the draft, fans are still excited to see what the team will do on Day 2 as they have two picks at the top of the second round. The Panthers should be looking to add more playmakers around the former No. 1 pick, who had a rough rookie season, but will hope to bounce back under new head coach Dave Canales.
Carolina is in a great position at the top of the second round to grab the best player available or the best wide receiver/tight end on the board. If it's the best player available, the Panthers could go offensive line or maybe cornerback, as they’ve been linked for Michigan defensive back Mike Sainristil.
2024 NFL Mock Draft: Panthers Continue to Build Around Bryce Young
In his latest mock draft on ESPN.com (subscription required), NFL draft analyst Jordan Reid has the Panthers addressing their offense at Nos. 33 and 39, which will make Young happy.
With the No. 33 overall pick, Reid has Carolina taking Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson, who would solidify the middle of their offensive line.
The Panthers prioritized the offensive line to kick off free agency, signing Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt to huge multi-year deals. However, Carolina released center Bradley Bozeman, leaving a void in the middle of the o-line.
Powers-Johnson is one of the better offensive linemen in this draft year’s class in the interior, where the Panthers have made a concerted effort to build up this offseason.
Carolina fans should be ecstatic if they can get JPJ at No. 33 to start Day 2. Then with the No. 39 overall pick, Reid gets Young another weapon as the Panthers take South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette.
The Panthers have been heavily interested in Legette throughout the draft process as the South Carolina native would be a perfect fit next to Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen.
Legette went off in his final year with the Gamecocks in 2023, posting 71 receptions for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns. He would bring an explosiveness to the Panthers’ wide receiver core that they were missing last season.
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