What should the Carolina Panthers do with their 2024 NFL Draft selections as we approach the final weeks of the evaluation season?
We are just a few weeks away from the NFL Draft. The Carolina Panthers are ramping up evaluations while beginning to construct their big board.
However, there is one less priority for the franchise and its fans. Dan Morgan and franchise defensive tackle Derrick Brown agreed to a four-year, $96 million contract averaging $24 million per year with $63 million fully guaranteed.
It is a huge deal for the franchise and has a significant impact on the locker room. It could even impact how future free agents view the team in future years.
As of late, the Panthers have not done the best job of retaining cornerstones such as D.J. Moore, Christian McCaffrey, and Brian Burns. Brown's extension shows that Carolina is willing to take care of their stars while trying to build around Bryce Young's rookie contract.
There is always going to be a discussion around Brown’s production, especially in the sack department. There should be an increase within that area. However, where the Pro Bowl interior defensive lineman wins is as a run defender and getting consistent pressure in the pocket. This is what makes him one of the league's best.
With one less worry about the future of the Panthers' defensive line, the focus returns to the draft. There was a lot of discourse created following Stefon Diggs’ trade to the Houston Texans, leading to concern that there may not be a quality wide receiver prospect available.
Using the Pro Football Network simulator, we delve into another scenario that Panthers fans should keep in mind in our latest seven-round mock draft.
Carolina Panthers trade back in Round No. 2
In this scenario, the Carolina Panthers choose to take on an offer from the Houston Texans to move back nine spots to the No. 42 overall pick. With the available talent on the board and another second-round selection just a few picks down, it's worth the risk.
Houston would go on to select Minnesota safety Tyler Nubin, leaving the Panthers with a critical selection at No. 39 overall.
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Carolina Panthers select Graham Barton
- Center | Duke Blue Devils
- Round No. 2 | No. 39 overall
The Carolina Panthers get lucky and become very grateful that one of the best interior offensive linemen in this year’s draft is still available.
Graham Barton is the pick over the likes of available prospects such as Ladd McConkey, Troy Franklin, Darius Robinson, Kamari Lassiter, and Xavier Legette due to talent and overall value. While it might be controversial due to the need at the wide receiver spot, it made more sense to acquire a versatile offensive lineman who can play center and fill a need right away.
Barton enters the draft with over 40 career starts to his name. He has shown that he can play tackle, guard, or center and have success. In the run game, the Duke prospect is a mauler who wants to have big finishes by loading his hips and driving defenders into the ground. He provides scheme versatility in that aspect, allowing him to play power-gap and wide zone.
The two-time first-team All-ACC selection is a lot like Northwestern’s Peter Skoronski, from the 2023 class. Both players offer sound technical ability in pass protection and accurate strikes in their hand technique when fighting defensive linemen in the trenches.
While Barton could improve his overall play strength and become more consistent in his balance, he already offers a quality skill set that could make him a long-term starter at center for the Panthers.
Carolina Panthers trade back in Round No. 2 again
Once again, Dan Morgan trades back in the second round due to the lack of true value at No. 42 overall.
The Detroit Lions move up 19 spots in the second round, leaving the Panthers risking the opportunity to select one of those two receivers available. However, it turned out for the better one of my favorite prospects in this entire draft class was still there for the taking.
Carolina Panthers select Ja’Lynn Polk
- Wide Receiver | Washington Huskies
- Round No. 2 | No. 61 overall
If the Carolina Panthers or any draft analyst has a conviction on a particular prospect, they shouldn't shy away. That’s how one feels about wide receiver Ja’Lynn Polk.
There’s no question that the Panthers need wide receivers. Adam Thielen and Jonathan Mingo are the only two to be on contract through the 2024 season. While it’s reasonable to expect newly acquired Pro Bowler Diontae Johnson to receive an extension at some point during the season if he impresses, this franchise needs to have another playmaker on a rookie contract.
Polk’s ball skills are outstanding. His skill set is among the best in this draft class with the likes of Marvin Harrison Jr. and Keon Coleman, two of my highest-graded receivers in this area. He rarely drops passes thrown his way due to strong mitts, phenomenal hand-eye coordination, terrific body control, and contortion ability.
The Washington prospect has shown to win from any alignment - whether that’s the X, Z, or slot. The former Texas Tech transfer saw mostly vertical stems, though this was due to the offense run by the Huskies. There are some concerns about his route tree being limited. However, Polk has the short-area quickness and initial burst to be consistent in any task he is assigned to run.
Polk isn’t the best athlete, nor does he have elite explosiveness. However, what he provides with his ball skills, alignment versatility, and his current skill set as a route runner and separator seem to indicate he can be a quality playmaker in any NFL offense, including the Panthers.
Carolina Panthers select Kris Jenkins Jr.
- Defensive Tackle | Michigan Wolverines
- Round No. 3 | No. 65 overall
The Carolina Panthers enter the third round with three more selections in the top 100, including No. 65 overall. They’re now in a position to acquire a few potential early contributors to their roster. With that in mind, this team needs to continue their focus on the trenches.
Kris Jenkins Sr. is team royalty, having been a key part of the defense in the early 2000s under head coach John Fox. Now, his son has the chance to make a name for himself. Why not do so with the team his father was drafted by?
Defensive lineman Kris Jenkins Jr. offers a skill set that should intrigue most teams that could use a three-tech or five-tech in 4-3 and 3-4 defensive alignments, respectively. He’s already a great run defender, using his twitchiness, power, and functional athleticism to penetrate the backfield consistently.
If you’re looking for the type of pass rusher Jenkins could be, look at the National Championship game against Washington. The former three-star high school recruit was getting to the quarterback all game and was creating constant pressure as the Michigan Wolverines emerged with a deserved triumph.
Jenkins is the best player available. That said, this also fills a need that allows him to attack the pocket alongside franchise cornerstone Derrick Brown.
Carolina Panthers select Ben Sinnott
- Tight End | Kansas State Wildcats
- Round No. 3 | No. 73 overall
By some miracle, Ben Sinnott is still available for the Carolina Panthers to take. Kris Jenkins Jr. was a higher-graded player on my board. It made more sense to take the defensive lineman despite the recent signing of A'Shawn Robinson in free agency.
It’s no secret the team needs a tight end. Head coach Dave Canales and Dan Morgan can have all the trust in the world Tommy Tremble will be a key piece of the offense. However, he will be a free agent this offseason. Ian Thomas, yes, is still on the roster.
Sinnott is one of the more underrated prospects on the second day of the draft. The team is looking for a true receiving skill set at the tight end spot and the Kansas State prospect does this well. He’s very fluid and flexible. He can play from any alignment while offering quality separation ability on all three levels.
As a run blocker, the former walk-on shows great willingness and effort in the trenches, showing he can work on crack blocks, split zone, and at the second level to get his grips on linebackers. However, the prospect must improve his play strength if he wants to be a more complete player in this area.
If you’re looking for a play-style comparison for Sinnott, look no further than Detroit Lions' rookie sensation Sam LaPorta, who offers a similar skill set and physical profile.
Carolina Panthers select Mike Sainristil
- Cornerback | Michigan Wolverines
- Round No. 3 | No. 86 overall
One cannot be anything other than impressed by how the Carolina Panthers defense is being structured this offseason. Despite the loss of Brian Burns and Frankie Luvu, Dan Morgan did a nice job of putting some solid pieces together that will make Ejiro Evero’s run defense a much-improved unit.
While it is too early to say if this will work out, the looming decision of a potential Stephon Gilmore return could alter the Panthers plans for the draft in some fashion. Either way, they should still draft another cornerback, specifically a nickel back with Troy Hill on a one-year deal and an unproven talent in last year's fifth-round selection Jammie Robinson.
Mike Sainristil was a fixture on Michigan’s defense this past season. He brings a competitive spirit that Morgan should be quite fond of. He plays much bigger than his small stature and offers terrific effort on every down.
Not only that, Sainristil offers the ball skills, short-area quickness, and discipline in coverage to be a quality starting nickel at the next level. He may not start right away for the Panthers, but he does give them sufficient depth in his first year.
Even if the Panthers draft another explosive young defensive back, it should not prevent them from signing Gilmore once the draft concludes. The former NFL Defensive Player of the Year is also reportedly keen on another homecoming despite his acrimonious departure in 2021.
Carolina Panthers select Jalyx Hunt
- Edge Rusher | Houston Christian Huskies
- Round No. 4 | No. 101 overall
Does it seem a little bit late to draft a pass rusher? Most likely, though it is due to the early rush on the position earlier in this draft scenario. It is hard to imagine the Carolina Panthers not coming away with an edge defender worth developing or having as a contributor in Year 1.
One of the best small-school prospects in this year’s draft is Jalyx Hunt. He’s a former safety who transformed himself into a quality pass rusher for Houston Christian University. His former experience in the secondary shows up on film with his occasional drops into coverage and how natural it is for him.
On the other hand, Hunt is an explosive athlete who can get upfield and around the arc very quickly. He also has the motor and run-defending skills to be a solid rotational piece at the next level. Something the Panthers need despite pulling off a coup with the signing of former No. 1 overall selection Jadeveon Clowney.
Hunt will need time to build his physical stature and overall play strength. However, he offers a similar play style to the liking of former Panthers situational rusher Marquis Haynes Sr. That alone should raise fans' eyebrows.
Carolina Panthers select Ray Davis
- Running Back | Kentucky Wildcats
- Round No. 5 | No. 141 overall
Spoiler alert, the Carolina Panthers won't be double-dipping at the wide receiver position in this mock draft scenario.
The reasoning for this is that Carolina doesn’t have to double-dip when they can add another weapon at tight end along with more depth and talent at running back and wide receiver. It’s also a possibility that the team may go into this season with just one rookie wideout with the expectation that Jonathan Mingo takes the next step.
It doesn’t seem ideal to move in this direction. This is why mock drafts exist - to present fans with different scenarios so they can be prepared for anything that may occur on draft night.
In this scenario, the Panthers added another running back on Day 3. Ray Davis was a workhorse backfield force for the Kentucky Wildcats, earning All-SEC honors and becoming one of the best running backs in college football.
Davis offers sufficient contact balance and leg churn while having the patience and vision to be a scheme-diverse talent. He also offers a third-down skill set as both a receiver and pass protector.
This makes Davis an intriguing possibility later in the NFL Draft. Especially with current No. 1 option Chuba Hubbard entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Carolina Panthers select Tyrice Knight
- Linebacker | Texas-El Paso Miners
- Round No. 5 | No. 142 overall
In an NFL world where running backs and linebackers are losing more of their value, it feels that the selection of either position late in the draft is considered a bargain. This might lead to the Carolina Panthers securing potential gems and immediate contributors down the line.
Tyrice Knight feels like a consolation prize if the Panthers decide not to draft or miss out on Payton Wilson at some stage on Day 2. He was very productive in his final season with the Miners, totaling 140 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2023. While it’s not as productive as the North Carolina State prospect's incredible season, he is an interesting prospect in his own right.
Knight is a quality athlete whose length and mass allow him to be a rock-solid tackler with a wide range and explosive short-area burst. He offers the processing ability and overall play speed to provide flashes of sufficient coverage skills.
He is a linebacker the Panthers should target on Day 3, especially as a potential successor to the likes of Shaq Thompson and Josey Jewell. He projects as the WILL linebacker for Carolina’s defensive front and could develop into the starting MIKE down the line.
If the Panthers came away with this sort of haul, it'll be another strong indicator that the organization is in good hands with Morgan leading the charge.