Panthers' First Pick Plans Solidified Per Latest Betting Odds

It's looked for weeks like the Panthers were focused on adding pass-catching weapons to the offense with their first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and sportsbooks are solidifying that theory early on Thursday with the first round just hours away from starting.

In just a few hours on Thursday morning, betting odds experienced significant movement indicating that Carolina intends to draft a wide receiver at pick No. 33 in the second round on Friday. Numerous talented wide receivers project to be available when the Panthers go on the clock, so it's only logical that GM Dan Morgan would give 2023 first-overall QB Bryce Young a dynamite weapon.

Panthers fans should get to know this year's receiver class, because it looks like at least one prospect will soon call Carolina home.

Panthers Draft News: Betting Odds Indicate Carolina Will Draft WR at No. 33

At the start of April, the Panthers were +125 to draft a wide receiver with their first selection in the draft. That means you'd profit $12.50 off a $10 bet if Morgan went in that direction.

As of this writing, those odds have moved to -230, indicating you'd have to wager $23 to profit $10. That's a massive line movement suggesting Carolina is locked in on drafting a wide receiver with the opening pick of that second round.

It's certainly a defensible idea. The Panthers added Diontae Johnson in the offseason, but Adam Thielen isn't getting any younger and the wide receiver group lacks significant proven playmakers after that. Jonathan Mingo showed promise in his rookie season, but it's difficult to properly evaluate Bryce Young unless you know the receivers can support him.

This figures to be one of the deepest wide receiver draft classes we've seen in nearly a decade, so you can bet that at least one of the Panthers' two top-40 picks will go to the position. Whether you're looking at someone like Texas' Adonai Mitchell or Xavier Worthy or prefer a route-running technician like Ladd McConkey out of Georgia, Morgan will have options.

We'll see what happens on Friday, but we can know for certain that Young won't have any more excuses once it's all said and done.

The first round is less than 12 hours away and you're almost out of time to claim FanDuel Sportsbook's guaranteed $200 sign-up bonus available to Panthers fans! Just deposit at least $10 and bet $5 or more with your first wager and you'll get $200 in bonus bets no matter what. Click here to sign up for FanDuel now!

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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.