After months of prospect evaluations and discussions, the Carolina Panthers are finalizing their board ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft. Dan Morgan set the franchise up nicely after making some tough roster decisions throughout free agency. Hitting on his seven picks would be a tremendous boost to an organization that hasn't exactly thrived during the selection process under previous regimes.
The Panthers have some holes to fill that will probably be addressed relatively early. Morgan wants to take the best prospects available regardless of need. That's a nice thought, but very few teams around the league have that luxury when push comes to shove.
Given there isn't much money remaining to acquire veteran pieces from the remaining free-agent pool, it raises the stakes for Carolina to hit on the large majority of their choices from the collegiate ranks. Morgan's credentials as a talent evaluator are respected in NFL circles, but his association with previous general manager Scott Fitterer brings a level of skepticism despite the improvements made to the football operation.
There is a genuine belief within the building that the Panthers can surprise people next season under head coach Dave Canales. Tempering expectations would be wise given how things have unfolded during David Tepper's ownership. That said, a strong draft from Morgan would further add to the solid foundations being restored after years of incompetent management.
Of course, the Panthers will be innocent bystanders on Day 1 after suffering the embarrassment of giving up the No. 1 overall selection to the Chicago Bears as part of their trade for quarterback Bryce Young. This isn't breaking news for Morgan, so he'll be ready to hopefully make the best out of a bad situation.
Using the Pro Football Network simulator, we took a look at how the Panthers could approach matters in our latest seven-round mock draft. This also includes making an eye-catching deal with a division rival.
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Carolina Panthers draft Jackson Powers-Johnson
- Center | Oregon Ducks
- Round No. 2 | Pick No. 33
The Carolina Panthers have made significant improvements to their offensive line this offseason. Dan Morgan had no option other than to invest heavily in protection after quarterback Bryce Young's rookie struggles. Giving him more time in the pocket will be a huge step in a positive direction heading into Year 2 of his professional career.
Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis were acquired at great expense to form the team's new starting guard tandem. After releasing Bradley Bozeman, the Panthers are also shifting Austin Corbett to the center position - something that comes with intrigue attached despite the obvious risk.
Corbett's spent most of his career at the right guard spot. He's also coming off two severe knee injuries in consecutive years. Looking at the options behind the former second-round pick, it wouldn't be a shock to see those in power potentially target a long-term option with one of their early selections.
If Jackson Powers-Johnson falls out of the first round, the Panthers must seriously consider the possibility. The Oregon standout looks like a Day 1 starter with decade-long upside if he stays clear of injury. His athleticism is off the charts considering the size attached, which is matched by core strength that's incredibly difficult to shift off the block.
Powers-Johnson is explosive to the point of attack. He's technically sound, boasts a mean streak that's hard not to love, and excels either in pass protection or carving up lanes on running downs. His lack of ideal length might put some teams off, but this would be a slam-dunk, tone-setting pick for the Panthers if available.
With a smooth transition, Powers-Johnson could potentially push Corbett to start in Week 1. At the very least, he'd be an exceptional backup who could step in if this experiment doesn't go according to plan.
Carolina Panthers trade down from No. 39
Doing deals with division rivals isn't necessarily commonplace around the NFL. The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings would be the most recent to make transactions with one other, but it is rare more often than not.
In this scenario, the Carolina Panthers move down from No. 39 after a trade with the Atlanta Falcons, who selected edge rusher, Adisa Isaac. This gives them an extra pick and also moves them up the order to No. 79 overall. Something that might be beneficial to Dan Morgan in his quest to build through the draft and supplement any remaining needs in free agency.
Carolina Panthers draft Troy Franklin
- Wide Receiver | Oregon Ducks
- Round No. 2 | No. 43 overall
Getting Bryce Young another dynamic weapon in the passing game should be among the Carolina Panthers' biggest priorities during the draft. Diontae Johnson's presence should assist greatly following his trade from the Pittsburgh Steelers, but more is needed if the Heisman Trophy winner wants to bounce back after a rough rookie campaign.
Fortunately, this is an exceptionally deep draft class for wide receivers. A plethora could be taken in the first round. Many others with Day 2 projections have the potential to be immediate contributors with a smooth transition. Such is the talent in this group, one could make a strong case for Day 3 picks establishing themselves right out of the gate.
Dan Morgan cannot become reactionary when wideouts inevitably begin to drop off his board. That's how the Panthers ended up trading up for edge rusher D.J. Johnson in 2023. Keeping the bigger picture in mind and remembering how deep this draft class appears can provide the general manager with a sense of calm amid the chaos.
Someone like Troy Franklin is well worth considering. The former four-star high school recruit steadily progressed into one of college football's most prolific wide receivers at Oregon, displaying explosiveness and game-changing credentials that could take the league by storm.
Franklin's skill set is versatile enough to operate on the outside or as a mismatch nightmare from the slot. His top-end speed allows him to stretch the field consistently, catching the football at its highest point with jaw-dropping quality. Simply put, he's the perfect blend of size and athleticism with the sort of mentality Morgan is looking to install across the roster.
There are some concerns about Franklin's slender frame that cannot be ignored. Improving his route tree upon getting to the pros would be wise, but there is a lot to like about his skill set and how it compliments what the likes of Adam Thielen and Johnson bring to the table.
Carolina Panthers draft Caelen Carson
- Cornerback | Wake Forest Demon Deacons
- Round No. 3 | No. 65 overall
Speculation remains about the Carolina Panthers potentially bringing Stephon Gilmore back following his acrimonious departure in 2021. There seems to be interest from the player's standpoint based on Jadeveon Clowney's revelations. That said, those in power need the money to work before pulling the trigger.
For now, cornerback remains one of the most overlooked needs on the Panthers. Jaycee Horn cannot stay healthy despite his exceptional talent. Dane Jackson will be serviceable and Troy Hill coming back bolsters the rotation, but identifying one of the top prospects emerging from the college ranks is something those in power must strongly consider.
Caelen Carson looks like an NFL-caliber corner in physique, size, and potential. The Wake Forest prospect plays with outstanding balance and intelligence, which enables him to mirror wide receivers at all three levels of the field with relative comfort. He's also highly competitive and won't back down from any challenge - something Dan Morgan wants as part of his cultural restoration project in Carolina.
Another positive element of Carson's game that jumps out on film is the player's ability against the run. He's instinctive and identifies run plays developing quickly. Once he gets to the contact point, the defensive back has no trouble laying heavy hits to stop runners in their tracks.
There are some areas Carson needs to improve. He's a little flawed technically and could be prone to flags early in his NFL career. On occasion, he's also a liability tracking the football downfield, which needs to be addressed for fear of getting exposed by elite-level competition who will punish even the slightest mistake.
Fortunately for Carson or whatever cornerback comes into the Panthers, they have an outstanding coaching staff when it comes to developing defensive backs. Ejiro Evero, Jonathan Cooley, and DeAngelo Hall are accomplished in this field, so the scope for immediate improvements would be high in this scenario.
Carolina Panthers draft DeWayne Carter
- Defensive Line | Duke Blue Devils
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 79
The Carolina Panthers gave their run defense a significant boost with the signing of A'Shawn Robinson in free agency. Slotting him next to Derrick Brown and Shy Tuttle on the defensive front instantly makes this unit stronger and more competitive. However, this shouldn't prevent Dan Morgan from targeting another option who could assist on the rotation and emerge as a prolific starter quickly.
It seems unlikely that Tuttle will be around in 2025 unless the veteran makes major strides. LaBryan Ray and Nick Thurman flashed promise during their involvement last season. Whether they can build on this positive momentum en route to becoming future starters is another matter.
The Panthers cannot stand still after losing so many key figures on defense. Looking at the options available, DeWayne Carter is an intriguing possibility, possessing the athletic attributes that could flourish within defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero's creative 3-4 base scheme.
Carter is a formidable presence against the run. His thick, compact frame provides stout consistency in clogging running lanes, displaying the play strength and hand placement capable of shedding blocks with relative comfort. The Duke prospect is a highly intelligent player, deciphering plays quickly and finishing with true conviction when tackling opportunities arise.
That's not all. Carter can get after the quarterback with a ferocious bull rush and improving speed-to-power moves for a man his size. He's not the finished product technically, but there is enough to suggest the lineman can be an upgrade on Carolina's defensive line rotation, potentially operating either as a 3-4 defensive end or even as a nose tackle with a little added mass.
The Panthers are looking for high-character guys and emerging leaders with the mentality to keep pushing forward through good times and bad. Carter ticks the boxes in this regard as well, so there are far worse avenues Morgan could go down in pursuit of defensive line help.
Carolina Panthers draft Jared Wiley
- Tight End | TCU Horned Frogs
- Round No. 4 | Pick No. 101
It's not just a dynamic wide receiver that the Carolina Panthers need to give quarterback Bryce Young a helping hand in 2024. Those in power also need to secure a tight end capable of creating separation and giving the signal-caller a security blanket in key moments. This is something the team's lacked since Matt Rhule allowed Greg Olsen to depart for the Seattle Seahawks.
Dave Canales and Dan Morgan seem confident in Tommy Tremble's ability to increase his production with more involvement. That's no guarantee, so bringing in a capable performer from the college ranks represents a realistic avenue of pursuit during the draft.
Jared Wiley comes with more potential than most at this stage. There's a chance the TCU prospect goes much sooner than this depending on how things shake out. It took him a while to firmly establish himself in college, but there was plenty to encourage last season that could be harnessed into something more in the right environment.
Wiley has the prototypical size and athleticism for the tight-end spot. His hands are assured and he's developed strong credentials when it comes to manipulating opposing defenders through sharp route cuts and body control. It's been a common theme throughout this mock draft, but he's also highly intelligent.
Carolina Panthers draft Jaylen Wright
- Running Back | Tennessee Volunteers
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 142
The Panthers might decide to stick with what they have at the running back position. Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders could be in line for improvements under head coach Dave Canales. Those in power also brought Raheem Blackshear back as a dependable No. 3 option who can play a key role in the return game.
No team gets anywhere by standing still or being complacent. If Dan Morgan feels like a better option can be sought via the draft, he'd be foolish to dismiss the possibility. Besides, getting a legitimate home-run hitter in the backfield adds another dimension to Carolina's rushing attack.
Jaylen Wright represents tremendous value here. The Tennessee standout will probably go higher thanks to his game-breaking speed and violent running style. He's also a patient runner with conviction once he spots a seam, making him a prospect who should be able to find a role for himself as a rookie.
Wright's sample size is small in the passing game, but his athleticism suggests improvements can be made in this area. His stock might drop because of his slender build and an inability to gain yards after contact. That said, he offers something different that Canales can put to good use.
Carolina Panthers draft Brennan Jackson
- Edge Rusher | Washington State Cougars
- Round No. 6 | No. 197 overall
Signing Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum to compensate for Brian Burns' departure via trade to the New York Giants should help fortify the Carolina Panthers' pass rush. But considering the questions surrounding depth, identifying a high-upside edge presence at some time during the 2024 NFL Draft would be a shrewd move by those in power.
This is something Dan Morgan might address sooner depending on what options become available. In this mock draft, the Panthers opt to wait and take their chances with a physically gifted specimen who could thrive if given time to progress at his own pace.
Brennan Jackson has the sort of dog mentality Morgan is seeking in all his recruits. His effort is nothing short of relentless on every snap. He's an excellent run defender with the speed needed to chase down rushers quickly and efficiently. And yes, his football IQ is another strong positive working in the player's favor.
Jackson must pass medical assessments with some red flags attached and add some additional pass-rushing moves to his arsenal. But if the Panthers treat this as a development project, it'll provide the Washington State stud with enough freedom to bring his game along gradually while making an instant impact on special teams.
Carolina Panthers draft Ryan Watts
- Safety | Texas Longhorns
- Round No. 7 | Pick No. 240
After letting Jeremy Chinn walk in free agency and releasing Vonn Bell, the Panthers might add another safety from the draft despite signing Jordan Fuller. If nothing else, they could use a development piece capable of providing rotational reps over time and becoming a special team asset along the way.
Ryan Watts is worth a late-round flier with Carolina's final selection. He's an aggressive downhill force against the run who offers adequate backend support in obvious passing situations. His positional sense is accomplished after spending time as a cornerback earlier in his career. His physical frame looks to be a ready-made replacement for Chinn, although the recent departure boasts more in the way of explosive athleticism.
Watts can struggle to anticipate routes. This will get punished in the pros if there aren't strides made during his early development. But if everything comes together for the Texas prospect, he could become a diamond in the rough when it's all said and done.
If Dan Morgan walked away from his first draft as general manager with this sort of haul, nobody should be complaining too much. After that, the onus is on Dave Canales and his staff to mold each prospect accordingly.