Carolina Panthers NFL Draft expectations at No. 24

Examining the potential return from a Carolina Panthers first-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft…

The Carolina Panthers landed running back Christian McCaffrey with an early pick in last year’s NFL Draft but barring a trade will have to wait considerably longer this April. Finishing the season at 11-5, Carolina rebounded from a down season and as a result will have the 24th pick in the first-round this year.

Interim general manager Marty Hurney has been granted control of the team through the draft but with an impending sale of the franchise, his future remains uncertain. His draft history shows an impressive tendency to nail first-round picks regardless of draft order.

Julius Peppers, Jordan Gross, Thomas Davis, DeAngelo Williams, Jon Beason, Jonathan Stewart, Cam Newton and Luke Kuechly were all picks orchestrated by Hurney and the coaching staff during his previous tenure as the Panthers general manager.

Looking back over the past ten years of draft history the following players were selected as the 24th overall pick.

2008 – Chris Johnson – RB – Tennessee Titans
A three time Pro Bowl back and NFL Offensive Player of the Year early in his career, Johnson rushed for over 1,000-yards in his first six seasons with Tennessee.

2009 – Peria Jerry – DT – Atlanta Falcons
Playing only five seasons, all with Atlanta, Jerry retired in part due to an injury and emergence of nose tackle Corey Peters.

2010 – Dez Bryant – WR – Dallas Cowboys
One of the most productive wide receivers in team history, Bryant has amassed over 7,000 yards and 77 touchdowns in his career.

2011 – Cameron Jordan – DE – New Orleans Saints
The envy of Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, Jordan is a three time Pro Bowl nominee and was a first-team All-Pro this past season.

2012 – David DeCastro – G – Pittsburgh Steelers
DeCastro remains a starter and impact player for the Steelers on the offensive line. He was named to a third consecutive Pro Bowl and earned his second, first-team All-Pro nomination in 2017.

2013 – Björn Werner – DE – Indianapolis Colts
The German native spent three years in the league and attempted a fourth with Jacksonville in 2016 before being released prior to the regular season.

2014 – Darqueze Dennard – CB – Cincinnati Bengals
Following a stand out collegiate career at Michigan State University, Dennard remains a solid cornerback for the Bengals and is under contract through next season.

2015 – D.J. Humphries – OT – Arizona Cardinals
The Charlotte native was inactive for his entire rookie season but eventually earned a starting position. This year he again was named the starter but an injury prematurely ended his season.

2016 – William Jackson III – CB – Cincinnati Bengals
A reserve cornerback for the Bengals, Jackson is continuing his development after only two seasons in the league.

2017 – Gareon Conley – CB – Oakland Raiders
Conley suffered a shin injury early and only played two games for Oakland before eventually being placed on injured reserve and missing a majority of his rookie season.

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While the jury remains out on most recent NFL Drafts, past selections made toward the bottom of the first-round show a wealth of talent exists even after the top picks. With a wide array of potential positions to choose from, Hurney and the Panthers could target the highest ranking prospect between a wide receiver, safety or lineman depending on offseason moves made with free agent defensive tackle Star Lotulelei and guard Andrew Norwell.

Options that may or may not be available when the Panthers are on the clock include the following top projections.

Wide Receiver – Calvin Ridley (ALABAMA)
Safety – Justin Reid (STANFORD)
Defensive Tackle – Vita Vea (WASHINGTON)
Guard – Quenton Nelson (NOTRE DAME)

Next: 2018 Home Opponents Preview

Carolina has never selected at No. 24 in history, but two picks at No. 25 resulted in Jon Beason and Shaq Thompson. Both vital to the Panthers defense during their respective tenures with the team.

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