Ranking the Panthers' Last 10 First-Round Picks, Worst to Best
Carolina has done a great job identifying talent in the first round over the years
By Joe Summers
The Panthers have a critically important draft coming up, with two top-40 picks and an opportunity to build the foundation of a contender around 2023 first-overall pick QB Bryce Young.
Carolina struggled mightily last season and needs to nail this draft as they transition to a new regime under head coach Dave Canales. While the Panthers don't have a first-round pick this year, they have the first pick of the second round and another shortly after that, giving the organization two selections that will closely resemble first-round talents.
Despite the relative lack of success for the franchise, they've actually done a great job identifying talent in the first round over the years. With that in mind, let's rank their last 10 first-round draft picks and see how they've done below.
Ranking the Panthers' Last 10 First-Round Picks
10. DT Vernon Butler (2016)
The No. 30 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Vernon Butler starred at Louisiana Tech but failed to deliver on that promise at the professional level. He played four seasons with Carolina before going to Buffalo and ending his career with the New York Giants.
While his first three years were marred by limited production, Butler started to find his way in 2019, notching six sacks and three forced fumbles in 14 games for the Panthers.
He failed to make much of an impact after going to the Bills and injuries derailed the rest of his career.
9. LT Ikem Ekwonu (2022)
There is plenty of time for Ikem Ekwonu to turn into a dependable, franchise left tackle protecting Bryce Young's blindside. However, he surrendered 11 sacks this year (3rd-most among tackles) and struggles to contain speed rushers on the outside.
The No. 6 pick in 2022, Ekwonu is an important building block for Carolina as they try to improve the offensive line as a whole. Young was sacked 62 times in 2023, the second-most among all QBs, and it's hard to know how much of it was his fault or that of the offensive line.
Harrison Smith was untouched on his first two sacks against the Panthers. On his third — the game-winner — he straight-up beat LT Ikem Ekwonu like an edge rusher. pic.twitter.com/OBiBPUP4rE
— Will Ragatz (@WillRagatz) October 2, 2023
Plays like this one are concerning, to say the least. Ekwonu has the size and speed to become an effective tackle in this league, but he's not there yet.
The Panthers can afford to be patient with him, but they'll be looking for a successor after this season if he doesn't show dramatic improvement.
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