It turns out the Carolina Panthers didn't come out of the 2024 NFL Draft without a first-round pick after all. It wasn't the No. 1 overall selection they gave up to the Chicago Bears - who took quarterback Caleb Williams as expected - but general manager Dan Morgan did shoot up one spot for Xavier Legette.
The former South Carolina wide receiver becomes the latest new weapon for quarterback Bryce Young. It didn't cost anything more than a late-round pick swap, which seemed strange but gave those in power a fifth-year option on the dynamic playmaker's rookie contract if he takes the NFL by storm.
There is still a lot of hard work ahead. They have two picks on Day 2 at No. 39 and No. 65 overall. After a flurry of quarterbacks came off the board early and offensive tackles were dotted around the first round like confetti, a few notable prospects with high grades according to most projections managed to slip through the cracks.
Morgan could trade down from No. 39 in pursuit of more capital. That said, the general manager would be wise to pull the trigger if there is genuine conviction about one particular player in a position of need.
With this in mind, here are nine intriguing candidates the Panthers should consider on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft.
Carolina Panthers could draft Edgerrin Cooper
- Linebacker | Texas A&M
The Carolina Panthers are getting veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson back from injury, which should help. Josey Jewell arrived from the Denver Broncos in free agency to go alongside him at the defensive second level. However, that should allow those in power to identify a dynamic prospect with long-term upside.
Edgerrin Cooper is arguably the best linebacker in this year's class. He's a dynamic sideline-to-sideline force capable of wreaking havoc in all phases. With 205 tackles, 30.5 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks throughout his three years as a legitimate starting option at Texas A&M, it's not hard to see why he's been a highly coveted prospect throughout the pre-draft process despite not being taken in the first round.
This is the sort of player Dan Morgan is going to love. Whether he brings him into the Panthers at No. 39 overall is another matter.
Carolina Panthers could draft Kool-Aid McKinstry
- Cornerback | Alabama Crimson Tide
Now that the Carolina Panthers have found their wide receiver for Bryce Young, attention must turn to finding a cornerback capable of assisting right out of the gate. Ejiro Evero cannot go into the upcoming campaign with the options already around. They need a dynamic young option to go alongside Jaycee Horn, who isn't the most dependable looking at his injury history since entering the league.
There's a chance Stephon Gilmore comes back, which would be a bonus. That said, if Kool-Aid McKinstry makes it down to No. 39 overall, it seems like a pretty easy decision all things considered.
McKinstry is an outstanding outside coverage presence capable of playing anywhere along the secondary given the athletic intangibles at his disposal. There were some injury concerns, but the prospect seemed to put them to rest during an exceptional display of explosiveness at his pro day.
Once the player learns how to be more physical, someone is going to have a tremendous defensive back on their hands. Carolina could do far worse that's for sure.
Carolina Panthers could draft Ben Sinnott
- Tight End | Kansas Jayhawks
Xavier Legette should give Bryce Young another dependable target if he carries the form displayed at South Carolina last season into the pros. But make no mistake, the Carolina Panthers should be on the lookout for a potentially productive tight end option with one of their remaining 2024 NFL Draft selections.
This has been a problem position since Greg Olsen left for the Seattle Seahawks in 2020. There's hope Tommy Tremble can emerge as a force with additional responsibilities, but he remains a relatively unknown quantity despite entering the final year of his rookie deal. Finding a contingency plan from the college ranks is desirable.
Brock Bowers was the only tight end taken in the first round. Ben Sinnott is still there to be had and might go a little later than initially projected looking at the talent that dropped out of the opening 32 selections.
Sinnott brings a nice blend of size, crisp route-running, and assured hands. The Kansas prospect is a willing blocker and is improving all the time. Whether the Panthers have the luxury of getting Young yet another weapon with critical needs elsewhere early on Day 2 is debatable, but it cannot be completely dismissed.
Carolina Panthers could draft Cooper DeJean
- Defensive Back | Iowa Hawkeyes
After Cooper DeJean alleviated any fears NFL teams may have had about his injury history with an outstanding pro-day showcase, he was seen as a first-round lock. Thanks to what can only be described as panic from quarterback-needy (and not-so-needy) teams, he's available on Day 2.
As previously stated, the Carolina Panthers need another cornerback capable of becoming a factor early on. DeJean has more going for him than most still looking to hear their name called. He's also much more than just a slot option thanks to his athletic intangibles.
DeJean has tremendous instincts and his football IQ is exceptionally high. The Iowa prospect has eye-catching footwork and quick-twitch traits that allow him to mirror routes effectively. He's technically sound as a tackler and boasts the position versatility that could be useful within Ejiro Evero's 3-4 defensive scheme.
It would be a shock if DeJean lasted much longer, even if teams are wary about the broken fibula. This might be a gift the Panthers cannot waste if he falls to No. 39.
Carolina Panthers could draft Trey Benson
- Running Back | Florida State Seminoles
Adding another running back to the group might seem like a luxury the Carolina Panthers cannot afford until later in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, they examined a few potential candidates throughout their pre-draft assessments, so it's something on the team's radar whether fans like it or not.
Dave Canales is looking for his offense to start imposing themselves more on running plays. He plans to deploy it heavily within his scheme and made no secret of his desire to be stubborn in pursuit of getting things going on the ground. Chuba Hubbard, Miles Sanders, and Raheem Blackshear might be able to carry the burden, but Trey Benson offers something a little different and could be available in the third round looking at how things are currently unfolding.
Benson is a powerful running back capable of impacting the game in all phases. He's a patient yet explosive runner with superb contact balance. The Florida State prospect has no trouble assisting from a blocking capacity and is also developing as a pass-catcher to further raise intrigue.
While it would be a slight shock, Dan Morgan won't hesitate to bring him on board if he feels like it's the best thing for the franchise.
Carolina Panthers could draft Johnny Newton
- Defensive Line | Illinois Fighting Illi
How Johnny Newton fell out of the first round is a mystery. The ferocious interior defensive lineman has all the makings of a Day 1 starter with a potential Pro Bowl-caliber upside. But teams focused on need rather than ignoring a supreme disruptor dropping like a stone.
The Carolina Panthers don't have a glaring need on their defensive front after A'Shawn Robinson signed in free agency. However, if Newton is still sitting around when they go on the clock at No. 39, it might just alter their perceived path.
Newton is a game-wrecker in every sense of the term. He's incredibly difficult to stop thanks to his raw power, sound technique, and heavy hands. The lineman is an outstanding mover for someone his size, displaying a ruthless desire to get after the quarterback and make things extremely uncomfortable.
This might take some maneuvering to get Newton involved, but there should be an important role awaiting the player in Ejiro Evero's defense if he ends up in Carolina.
Carolina Panthers could draft Chris Braswell
- Edge Rusher | Alabama Crimson Tide
The Carolina Panthers could still pursue an edge rusher on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL Draft. Signing Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum will help, but the distinct lack of depth is deeply concerning unless Ejiro Evero can get a tune out of the underperforming rotational pieces at his disposal.
Looking at the options still available after a few pass-rushers went on Day 1, someone like Chris Braswell has the skill set that appears tailor-made for Evero's dynamic scheme. The Alabama standout has the speed and power to wreak havoc whenever he sees fit. His physique looks NFL-ready and his first step off the block is nothing short of extraordinary at times.
There are some concerns about his lack of length and how it might hold up against imposing offensive linemen at the next level. But from an athleticism and technique standpoint, he's undeniably the best edge rushing prospect available in the second round.
Whether the Panthers bypass some intriguing cornerbacks in favor of Braswell is another matter.
Carolina Panthers could draft Jackson Powers-Johnson
- Center | Oregon Ducks
Austin Corbett is making the transition to the center position in 2024. The Carolina Panthers signed Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis at great expense in free agency to form their improved starting guard tandem. Bradley Bozeman was released, so this will hopefully be a natural progression for the former second-round selection out of Nevada.
Corbett and the coaching staff appear confident this move can bear fruit. However, he's never taken a competitive NFL snap at the center spot and is also coming off two significant knee complications in consecutive seasons - both of which required surgery and extensive rehabilitation.
It might be worth Carolina looking at a long-term alternative at some stage on Day 2. Jackson Powers-Johnson fell out of the first round, so he could be a potential option if his slide continues to No. 39 overall.
The Oregon prospect's athleticism, outstanding pass protection, and ability to communicate effectively could make him a candidate to start Week 1. At worst, he'd be a more than capable understudy in the event Corbett cannot meet expectations.
Carolina Panthers could draft Ladd McConkey
- Wide Receiver | Georgia Bulldogs
Could the Carolina Panthers spend their first two selections of the 2024 NFL Draft on wide receivers? Although the notion appears unlikely, there's been a fierce need to surround quarterback Bryce Young with everything needed to thrive after such a disappointing rookie campaign. That makes it plausible.
The Panthers are betting on Legette's physical intangibles becoming something more in the pros. They could use a more prolific route-runner capable of getting open consistently. Someone like Ladd McConkey fits the bill if the Panthers were to go in this direction.
McConkey is explosive, knows how to manipulate opposing cornerbacks through shrewd route-running, and is dynamic with the football in his hands. There are concerns about his injury history and lack of size, but if he were to make it further down the pecking order to No. 39 overall, it might warrant a discussion between those in power depending on what other options are available.
This would be a bombshell after the Panthers took Legette. But a wide receiver quartet of Adam Thielen, Diontae Johnson, Legette, and McConkey would be music to Young's ears.