The Carolina Panthers are about to embark on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft with plenty of intriguing options still available. Dan Morgan did some wheeling and dealing throughout Day 2, getting a 2025 second-round selection from the Los Angeles Rams that was lost during the trade for quarterback Bryce Young. He also acquired two more prospects - one with significant intrigue attached.
Those in power had enough conviction to trade up for running back Jonathon Brooks. Although not the biggest need, this represents a significant statement of intent. One that leaves no doubt about how the Panthers will approach things offensively under new head coach Dave Canales.
The Panthers have four selections over the remaining rounds. Previous regimes haven't been able to unearth diamonds from the rough more often than not. Still, Morgan is eager to change it in his quest to get Carolina back to respectability.
With this in mind, here are seven intriguing prospects still available for the Panthers after a dramatic Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Carolina Panthers could draft Mason McCormick
- Offensive Line | South Dakota State Jackrabbits
The Carolina Panthers haven't done anything to improve depth along the trenches yet. There's still time for that to change, but one only has to look at the offensive line's capitulation last season to see what complications could emerge through injuries and poor performance.
If the Panthers choose to identify a high-upside athletic protector on Day 3 of the draft, they could do far worse than look in Mason McCormick's direction. The South Dakota State prospect didn't play the elite-level competition throughout his college career, but his pass protection was nothing short of flawless nonetheless.
McCormick is incredibly athletic - something he displayed to full effect during a standout showcase at the NFL Scouting Combine. He's experienced, is a born leader, and plays with a mean streak that's hard not to love.
There is a little stiffness to his movement that must be addressed. McCormick is also flawed from a technical aspect, especially once the loses leverage. That said, the Panthers must examine his qualities in greater detail if they want another offensive line development project.
Carolina Panthers could draft Troy Franklin
- Wide Receiver | Oregon Ducks
Some analysts wondered if Troy Franklin's exciting skill set would be enough to see the wide receiver emerge as a surprise first-round selection. As it turned out, he didn't even hear his name called on Day 2.
Something is amiss here. Franklin isn't the perfect prospect by any stretch of the imagination, but his production at Oregon was enough to warrant a Day 2 selection at the very least. This might work in the Carolina Panthers' favor if those in power believe Bryce Young needs one more weapon in the passing game.
Franklin is explosive, makes things happen with the football in his hands, and has the proven college production to back up these claims. He dominates against man coverage more often than not, boasting high-level ball skills and the ability to break out of his routes quickly for decent gains.
There's so much to like, it's hard not to speculate about what teams have found out about Franklin during their assessments. Is his slender frame going to be a problem? Is there a lingering injury issue or off-the-field concerns? We'll find out shortly just why he's fallen so dramatically from pre-draft expectations.
Carolina Panthers could draft T.J. Tampa
- Cornerback | Iowa State Cyclones
The Carolina Panthers have stated a willingness to bring Stephon Gilmore into the fold if they cannot find a cornerback during the 2024 NFL Draft. While the former NFL Defensive Player of the Year showed enough last season to suggest he's got another good season left, Dan Morgan needs something longer-term as part of his grand plans for gradual growth.
It's surprising to see T.J. Tampa still waiting to fulfill his NFL dream at this stage. The Iowa State standout boasts outstanding instincts, can mirror receivers at all three levels of the field, and comes up with big plays in key moments consistently. But even when the run of cornerbacks began on Day 2, he still missed out.
Tampa has a high football IQ and superb positional sense. He's a willing tackler in run support with a sound tackling technique. Some discipline issues stem from over-aggression at times in coverage, but the Panthers should give this serious consideration when they kick off Day 3 at No. 101 overall.
Carolina Panthers could draft Austin Booker
- Edge Rusher | Kansas Jayhawks
Adding another developmental edge rusher could be something the Carolina Panthers consider on Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Signing Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum should help, but finding someone with the athletic gifts to help on the rotation immediately while progressing at their own pace should be high on Dan Morgan's list of priorities.
Austin Booker fits the bill in this scenario. The Kansas prospect's sample size is relatively small with just one full season of college starting experience, but his physical intangibles could indicate there's something to mold under the guidance of Ejiro Evero and his coaching staff.
Booker is incredibly raw, but he's explosive, displays supreme burst to bend around the edge and can close space quickly in pursuit of either the runner or opposing quarterbacks in pass-rushing situations. Expecting miracles right away wouldn't be wise, but this looks like a gamble worth taking given the potential ceiling attached.
Carolina Panthers could draft D.J. James
- Cornerback | Auburn Tigers
As previously mentioned, the Carolina Panthers need to come out of Day 3 with a cornerback. Anything less would be organizational malpractice whether Stephon Gilmore comes back or not. It's been an overlooked need for years, so it was frustrating to see Dan Morgan ignore some outstanding talent further up the 2024 NFL Draft.
Morgan is higher on the options already around than most fans. But if Jaycee Horn goes down with injury once again, the Panthers have no legitimate outside coverage presence in his absence as it stands.
Perhaps taking a flier on D.J. James could be worth considering. The Auburn prospect has more going for him than most still available. He's a decent enough mover who coped well in the highly competitive SEC, but it's clear that teams around the league are being put off by his slender frame and how they might struggle to adapt in the pros.
It won't cost the Panthers much to find out one way or another at this stage of the draft. James will also be coming into the NFL with a huge chip on his shoulder after sliding from his initial projections.
Carolina Panthers could draft Jordan Jefferson
- Defensive Line | LSU Tigers
The Carolina Panthers have yet to identify anyone who could come in and provide competition at the nose tackle position. Ejiro Evero seems confident that Shy Tuttle can improve consistency with Derrick Brown and A'Shawn Robinson alongside him, but there's just no telling for sure based on how uncomfortable the veteran looked for the most part in 2023.
If the Panthers want to find someone with the core strength to potentially clog up space in the middle, Jordan Jefferson might be the answer. Although listed as a nose tackle, his athleticism and NFL-ready frame make him a versatile piece that can line up almost anywhere on Evero's creative 3-4 defensive front. The LSU prospect has violent hands, displays outstanding lateral movement for a man his size, and can halt any play in its tracks before momentum is generated.
Although considered a prospect who'll hop between positions and provide versatility to an NFL rotation, the Panthers could stash him behind Tuttle and coach him up to be a legitimate nose tackle in the hope of finding a long-term solution to this ongoing complication.
Carolina Panthers could draft Cade Stover
- Tight End | Ohio State Buckeyes
Dan Morgan has not addressed the tight end position heading into Day 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft. There's still time for that to change if the right opportunity presents itself. There's also a chance Dave Canales wants to give Tommy Tremble a legitimate chance to become the team's No. 1 option long-term after being utilized sparingly throughout his career to date.
Still, adding a contingency plan wouldn't hurt. If the Panthers want to find a possession guy who can help Bryce Young in his quest to keep the chains moving, Cade Stover looks like the sort of prospect that could catch Morgan's eye.
The Ohio State prospect's got two seasons of consistent production under his belt. Stover wouldn't be classed as truly exceptional at anything, but he does everything efficiently. Considering the player transferred from a linebacker in college, there could also be some untapped potential attached.
Stover is a work in progress thanks to his lack of speed and genuine athleticism. He needs to work on the blocking aspect to stand any chance of carving out a successful NFL career for himself. Aside from that, there's a lot to encourage - especially in the passing game.