Panthers Make Massive Offensive Upgrade in Latest ESPN Mock Draft

The Carolina Panthers do not have a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft as they traded it last year to the Chicago Bears to move up for Bryce Young. Therefore, Panthers fans won’t see the team make their first selection until Day 2 of the draft when they have three picks (two in the second round).

That said, Panthers fans are still excited to see what the team does in the draft as they have a new head coach (Dave Canales) and took significant strides in free agency to help out young quarterback Bryce Young.

Young, who struggled in his first year as an NFL quarterback, will play behind a much improved offensive line and have a new weapon to throw to in Diontae Johnson. However, Carolina will need more, if they want to compete in the NFC South.

Panthers Take WR Ricky Pearsall in ESPN Mock Draft

One way to add more weapons to your offense is in the NFL draft. Lucky for them, this is a good wide receiver class with talent from top to bottom.

ESPN’s Field Yates unveiled his latest NFL mock draft (subscription required) on ESPN and has Carolina drafting former Florida receiver Ricky Pearsall with their first pick in the second round. 

However, Yates has the Panthers trading the No. 33 overall pick to the Tennessee Titans for the No. 38 pick and two fourth-round draft picks. 

If Carolina were to go this route and draft Pearsall, it would be the second consecutive year they selected a wide receiver in the draft. Also, it would be the third time in the last four drafts that Carolina took a wideout in the second round.

Pearsall is coming off an outstanding final season at the University of Florida, where he posted 65 receptions for 965 yards and four touchdowns. The 6-foot-1 receiver is a good route runner, can play inside, and has good hands. If you throw the ball within his vicinity, Pearsall will get it. 

The former Florida Gator standout won’t blow you away with his speed, but he did run a 4.41 40-yard dash at the combine. If Jonathan Mingo can continue to improve his game, with the potential addition of Pearsall, to go along with Johnson and Adam Thielen, the Panthers will have a better passing game in 2024.

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