Which way could the Carolina Panthers go with their 2024 NFL Draft selections after a frenzied start to the team's offseason recruitment?
It's been an interesting start to free agency for the Carolina Panthers. Big changes were always coming thanks to Dan Morgan's promotion, Brandt Tilis' arrival, and the influence of head coach Dave Canales in the decision-making process. Not many expected the alterations to be so extreme.
Several established veterans were released to provide future financial flexibility. Brian Burns was traded to the New York Giants for what many believed to be way below market value. Others like Frankie Luvu opted to take their chances elsewhere despite having an extension offer on the table. Change is never easy, but it was necessary following a two-win campaign that was one of the lowest moments in franchise history.
This was always going to take time. The priority has been surrounding quarterback Bryce Young with stable protection and better weapons. Those in power are cutting costs on defense and hoping coordinator Ejiro Evero can do more with less. It's a risky strategy, but one the new regime believes can bear fruit.
Of course, there is also the draft to consider. Morgan is putting the Panthers in a position to select the best players available. Some needs are more glaring than others, but having an extra second-rounder following the decision to ship Burns to the Giants opens up their possibilities further.
Using the Pro Football Network simulator, we took a look at how the Panthers might approach their picks in our latest seven-round mock draft.
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Carolina Panthers draft Adonai Mitchell
- Wide Receiver | Texas Longhorns
- No. 33 overall
The Carolina Panthers took a low-cost gamble by trading for wide receiver Diontae Johnson from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Some character concerns eventually led to his departure, but the pass-catcher's ability to create separation consistently was enough for those in power to take a chance considering the minimal compensation attached.
That said, the Panthers need more. They are hosting Mike Williams and Michael Gallup on visits this week. If the decision-makers can strike a deal with either, it might see their draft plans change early on.
For now, the Panthers are in desperate need of a big-bodied, explosive wide receiver. One who is capable of being Bryce Young's No.1 target for the long term. If Adonai Mitchell falls out of the first round and into their laps, Dan Morgan would be wise to seriously consider the possibility.
Mitchell is 6-foot-2 with the athleticism to match. He is extremely sharp out of his cuts and knows how to use leverage to his advantage. The Texas prospect boasts the straight-line speed to get downfield quickly and makes contested catches look easy.
If Mitchell can improve his ability to get off press coverage and locate the football with extra efficiency, someone is going to have a real player on their hands. His upward trajectory also indicates he'd be able to come in and help Young right out of the gate.
Carolina Panthers draft Zach Frazier
- Center | West Virginia Mountaineers
- No. 39 overall
Completely revamping the offensive line was a big priority for the Carolina Panthers to kick off free agency in 2024. Those in power spent big to land two new starting guards. Bradley Bozeman was released, who was a strong community presence but didn't look suited to the zone-blocking concepts being implemented by new head coach Dave Canales.
The Panthers plan to switch Austin Corbett - the team's previous starting right guard - to the center position. This comes with some element of risk attached, especially considering the player is coming off two serious knee injuries. Therefore, a young prospect should be targeted at some stage during the 2024 NFL Draft.
If Jackson Powers-Johnson is considered to be the best prospect emerging from the college ranks, then Zach Frazier isn't too far behind. The West Virginia college product looks like a potential long-term starter with a smooth transition, bringing a nice blend of physicality and athleticism to the table despite his lack of prototypical size and arm length.
Frazier's biggest strength is from a technical standpoint. His background in wrestling makes him difficult to move off the block. His hand placement and ability to work well within tight windows also stand out considerably when watching the player's film.
There is some work needed to cope with more explosive interior rushers, but Frazier would have time as a dependable backup in 2024 with Corbett at the starting center position. If everything goes well, then starting in 2025 is a distinct possibility in this scenario.
Carolina Panthers draft Ja'Tavion Sanders
- Tight End | Texas Longhorns
- No. 65 overall
Releasing veteran Hayden Hurst and failing to address the position during free agency indicates the Carolina Panthers will be seeking an explosive tight end via the 2024 NFL Draft. There are a few intriguing prospects available that those in power could target on Day 2 at some stage. However, they won't be alone in coveting some of the higher-profile individuals emerging from the college ranks this spring.
Ja'Tavion Sanders is exactly what the Panthers are looking for. He's dynamic, can create separation quickly, and is a matchup nightmare out of the slot. This enables the Texas prospect to be an asset at all three levels of the field and in the red zone.
Sanders is an assured pass-catching presence that requires a cornerback on him at all times. His agility for a tight end is in keeping with modern-day players at the position, which is matched by an underrated ability to impact proceedings from a blocking standpoint at the second level.
While he's a work in progress at the line of scrimmage, the Panthers have Tommy Tremble and Ian Thomas to take on blocking duties. Drafting Sanders with the sole premise of being active in the passing game initially while working on becoming a complete tight end would be the best course of action. Something that could also help Bryce Young in key situations across the middle and when it's time to convert opportunities into touchdowns.
Carolina Panthers draft Jonah Elliss
- Edge Rusher | Utah Utes
- No. 141 overall
Losing Brian Burns, Yetur Gross-Matos, and Frankie Luvu has decimated the Carolina Panthers' pass-rushing options. Bringing in D.J. Wonnum and K'Lavon Chaisson doesn't change that fact. If nobody else is acquired before the draft, then addressing this predicament sooner is almost guaranteed.
Jonah Elliss might be long gone by this spot, in all honesty. The Utah prospect has a ton of speed coming off the edge and boasts a nice arsenal of pass-rushing moves. He's also a willing force against the run thanks to his instincts to identify on-field situations developing quickly and a physical playing style.
Elliss is a little undersized, which is a concern. But switching him to a 3-4 outside linebacker in Ejiro Evero's scheme comes with obvious benefits attached.
Carolina Panthers draft Jalyx Hunt
- Edge Rusher | Houston Christian Huskies
- No. 101 overall
Double-dipping on the edge cannot be ruled out. The Panthers are threadbare in terms of starting help and quality rotational pieces. If Amare Barno and D.J. Johnson don't bring on the respective games this offseason, it's not hard to see where the complications could emerge.
Jalyx Hunt doesn't come with the pedigree of some, but his athletic attributes warrant a close look at this stage of the draft. More importantly, the Houston Christian prospect could be just starting to scratch the surface rather than peaking ahead of time.
If the Panthers can work out some technical flaws where Hunt is concerned, this is a chance well worth taking. The physical profile dictates as much, so it's more about fine-tuning under Eiro Evero and his exceptional defensive staff.
Carolina Panthers draft Khyree Jackson
- Cornerback | Oregon Ducks
- No. 142 overall
The Carolina Panthers could look further up the pecking order for a talented cornerback if nobody is acquired in free agency. Jaycee Horn remains the only genuine shutdown presence despite his lack of dependability on the health front. New signing Dane Jackson could assist and Troy Hill is coming back, but general manager Dan Morgan must get more help after trading Donte Jackson to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
At 6-foot-4, Khyree Jackson has impressive size for the cornerback position. This doesn't limit him from an athletic standpoint either, thriving in press coverage and also proving his worth as a willing tackler in the open field - especially on running downs.
Teams will test him deep early on, but there is a lot to like about Jackson's potential if he can enhance his outstanding traits further under the guidance of Ejiro Evero, Jonathan Cooley, and DeAngelo Hall.
Carolina Panthers draft Tylan Grable
- Offensive Line | UCF Knights
- No. 240 overall
Although the Panthers signed Yosh Nijman to bolster their offensive tackle depth behind Taylor Moton and Ikem Ekwonu, acquiring a development project wouldn't be the worst idea in the world once other critical needs have been met. Tylan Grable fits the mold as an athletic specimen with the scope to boost his skill set considerably with the right coaching.
Grable is tall, long, and has a mean streak that's hard not to love. He's quick into his stance and once the prospect gains leverage, he often emerges victorious from the battle. Expecting him to start right away would be foolish, but his upside alone suggests this is something to contemplate with Carolina's final pick of the 2024 draft.