Which way could the Carolina Panthers go with their 2024 NFL Draft selections with the team sitting at 0-6 on their bye week?
After six weeks of the 2023 season, confidence has sapped entirely from the Carolina Panthers fanbase. Promises of an NFC South title challenge and playoff football in Frank Reich's first season couldn't have been further from the truth - something that's leading to speculation of a fire sale for additional capital before the trade deadline.
This is not what anyone associated with the Panthers had in mind. It's also got some sections of the fanbase already looking ahead to the 2024 offseason and what the NFL Draft might bring.
The Panthers hold the No. 1 overall selection right now as the NFL's only winless team. Unfortunately, they are giving this to the Chicago Bears as part of their trade to land quarterback Bryce Young last spring.
There's nothing those in power can do about that now. But using the Pro Football Network simulator, we took a look at how the Panthers could use their 2024 NFL draft selections in a special bye week mock.
Carolina Panthers trade No. 33 to the Patriots
Obviously, things could look much different in terms of the number of draft picks available and needs by the time next April rolls around. But one would be hard-pressed to see where the Carolina Panthers would get a first-round pick from without a trade-up or parting ways with someone like Brian Burns or Derrick Brown.
That would be ill-advised given their importance to the team's defensive strategy. In this scenario, the Panthers move down a few spots in the second round for another pick and a third-rounder in 2025 for good measure.
Carolina Panthers draft Troy Franklin
- Wide Receiver | Oregon Ducks
- No. 37 overall
It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the Carolina Panthers need to give quarterback Bryce Young better weapons in the passing game. Only veteran free-agent signing Adam Thielen has provided the rookie with any sort of consistent presence in terms of creating separation, which has some fans clamoring for another incoming before the 2023 trade deadline.
Teams sitting at 0-6 don't normally make aggressive moves to bolster their ranks. Signing a free agent cannot be dismissed, but all signs point to the Panthers standing pat and hoping offensive coordinator Thomas Brown can conjure improvements as the new play-caller.
Next spring, getting more explosiveness in the wide receiver room is among Carolina's biggest priorities currently. If Troy Franklin is still around by this point, it's a hard proposition to pass up.
Franklin has been nothing short of sensational for the Oregon Ducks in 2023. He has a unique blend of speed, short-area quickness, and exceptional ball skills - making him a matchup nightmare for most at the college level.
The prospect already boasts 44 receptions for 768 receiving yards and eight touchdowns this season. Franklin also has a 6-foot-2 frame he puts to good use to get in front of opposing defenders and his aggressive running style allows him to create significant yards after the catch for good measure.
More will be needed, obviously. But Franklin has the sort of tools Young can benefit from greatly in the short and long term.
Carolina Panthers draft Brandon Dorlus
- Defensive Line | Oregon Ducks
- No. 66 overall
One of the most disappointing elements that often goes underlooked where the Carolina Panthers are concerned is the lack of consistency on their defensive front. Ejiro Evero's 3-4 base defense doesn't have the playing personnel to match his ambitions currently, which is a result of not having a genuine nose tackle, numerous key injuries, and established veterans failing to meet expectations.
If Evero is still around in 2024 - which is up in the air as a highly-touted potential head coach - then the Panthers have to fortify their trenches. Shy Tuttle is serviceable but playing out of position, but it would be a surprise if DeShawn Williams got a deal beyond the 2023 season based on what we've seen through six weeks.
In this scenario, the Panthers take their second-straight prospect out of Oregon in the form of Brandon Dorlus. The formidable lineman looks to have an NFL-ready frame already and is tailormade for a 3-4 defensive end role right out of that gate with a smooth transition to the pros.
Another with a devastating spin move to call upon, Dorlus is a tough proposition to move at the point of attack and has the natural instincts needed to recognize run fits and plug them accordingly. The player also has the sort of motor that NFL scouts will love during his evaluation.
There's a good chance Dorlus goes higher than this with 4.5 tackles for loss and four sacks to his name this season. However, he looks like a tremendous scheme fit provided Evero is still on board.
Carolina Panthers draft Johnny Wilson
- Wide Receiver | Florida State Seminoles
- No. 97 overall
Did we mention quarterback Bryce Young is in desperate need of more help in the passing game?
The Carolina Panthers had high hopes for their wideout room despite including D.J. Moore in the trade package that landed the No. 1 overall selection. Adam Thielen aside, everyone else has failed to meet expectations, which has led to the Carolina Panthers giving permission for Terrace Marshall Jr. to seek a trade before the deadline.
D.J. Chark is also underwhelming right now and might be moved on once his contract expires next spring. While Jonathan Mingo's flashed some moments of quality, the Panthers don't truly know what they have in the rookie just yet - but there is still time for that to change before the 2024 NFL Draft.
Double-dipping at the wide receiver spot during the draft cannot be dismissed. Looking at the options available here, Johnny Wilson comes with more intrigue than most.
Wilson was a star at Arizona State before making the transfer to Florida State. He's been equally if not more productive with the Seminoles despite the increased level of competition, with his 6-foot-7 frame and eye-catching athleticism making him a matchup complication on the outside.
The prospect has an unbelievably wide catch radius and his athleticism defies a man his size. Wilson has some work ahead to enhance his route tree, but the physical tools are all right where they need to be.
Carolina Panthers draft Jaheim Bell
- Tight End | Florida State Seminoles
- No. 99 overall
The Carolina Panthers haven't had any legitimate tight end production since Greg Olsen was allowed to depart for the Seattle Seahawks in 2020 free agency. Ian Thomas is not the answer, Tommy Tremble flashes but nothing more than that, with Hayden Hurst also failing to get involved in the scheme frequently to further raise concerns.
Again, this is something that can hopefully change now that Thomas Brown has play-calling responsibilities. If not, then the Panthers would be wise to pick up another option with high-end upside via the 2024 NFL Draft to assist franchise quarterback Bryce Young.
Jaheim Bell is no stranger to the area having begun his college journey at South Carolina. He's made a decent impression at Florida State and boasts some enticing transferable traits that will catch the eye of scouts around the league during the pre-draft assessment stage.
Although tasking Bell with significant blocking responsibilities at this stage of his development would be foolish, there's a lot to like about his ability as a pass-catching asset. His athleticism dictates that the Panthers could line him up almost anywhere and have success and utilizing the prospect in motion is another potential asset in this hypothetical scenario.
Another area where Bell can be deployed is as a running back on occasion. That's how versatile the player is and something Brown should be able to use creatively if he doesn't get a head coaching gig during the 2024 cycle.
Carolina Panthers draft Tate Ratledge
- Offensive Line | Georgia Bulldogs
- No. 136 overall
One position group that became exposed for its lack of depth this season is the offensive line. Losing Brady Christensen and Austin Corbett - the Carolina Panthers' starting guard tandem in 2022 - was a body blow they have yet to recover from effectively.
Corbett can hopefully get back into the lineup after Carolina's bye week. Even then, it's clear upgrades to the rotation are needed over the likes of Calvin Throckmorton and Cade Mays, who just aren't up to the required standard.
Adding development projects can often prove valuable via the draft if the correct recruits are acquired. Someone like Tate Ratledge fits the bill in no uncertain terms at this juncture.
Ratledge looks like an NFL offensive lineman and there are times when he plays like one, too. Once he gets the upper hand on defensive linemen it tends to go in his favor, which is thanks to his ruthless finishing abilities and ultra-competitive approach on almost every down.
He might not be the most technically sound, but the raw power alone makes him an asset in the run game. There is also enough to suggest he could hold his own in pass protection with additional refinement.
If there was one knock on Ratlegde, it's initial contact on passing downs. Hand placement can become an issue, but he still represents outstanding value at this stage of the draft.
Carolina Panthers draft Jason Marshall Jr.
- Cornerback | Florida Gators
- No. 160 overall
Upgrading the cornerback position could become a bigger need depending on how things play out in the weeks and months ahead. Jaycee Horn is once again going through an injury-hit campaign, Donte Jackson has been touted as a potential trade candidate before the deadline, and Troy Hill is also having moments of struggle despite flashing.
One encouraging sign is the rise of former first-round pick C.J. Henderson, who's become the Carolina Panthers most dependable coverage option with Horn out of the lineup. But he's out of contract in 2024 and might not be back depending on the financial ramifications involved.
Either way, getting another cornerback from the college ranks that can emerge as a potential starter down the line is always worth considering. While Jason Marshall Jr. might not be the speediest cornerback to ever grace a football field, his mirroring is first-class and can be developed into something more over time.
Marshall relies heavily on instincts and anticipation to compensate for his lack of top-tier speed. He also brings decent physicality to the run game, which might mean he'd be better off moving to the safety position once he gets to the next level.
There is some work to do in terms of footwork and Marshall could be prone to penalties thanks to ill-disciplined hand usage, but the Florida prospect offers more upside than most at this stage of the draft and would be a nice complimentary piece immediately.
Carolina Panthers draft Marshawn Lloyd
- Running Back | USC Trojans
- No. 164 overall
Miles Sanders has been a major disappointment since his big-money move in free agency. Injuries and scheme played a role in his early demise, but the Carolina Panthers have a huge decision to make with the Pro Bowler if he cannot progress with Thomas Brown now calling plays.
Chuba Hubbard's been a bright spot and deserves more involvement. Raheem Blackshear's flashed, but he was also a healthy scratch on numerous occasions and it remains to be seen whether he'll be around beyond the 2023 campaign.
If the Panthers can hit on a Day 3 running back, they'll benefit enormously. Although he's a little on the small side, Marshawn Lloyd is a pocket rocket capable of becoming a surprise most teams won't see coming.
Lloyd transferred to USC from South Carolina in time for the 2023 campaign and has shown no signs of slowing down. Despite being just 5-foot-9, the backfield presence is able to identify holes and burst through them with a low center of gravity that's incredibly difficult to counteract.
The prospect is thick-framed and has the explosiveness needed to gain significant yardage in open spacing. Perhaps the most surprising element of his influence is in pass protection and recognizing blitzes with supreme effectiveness.
Once Lloyd has more conviction in his initial decisions at the line of scrimmage, someone is going to have a real player on their hands. Will that be the Panthers? Time will tell on that one.