What could the Carolina Panthers do with their 2024 draft selections heading into the all-important NFL Scouting Combine?
Ladies and gentlemen, the Carolina Panthers' offseason is just getting started. This week is the start of the NFL Scouting Combine, the biggest event on the assessment calendar before the selection process begins on April 25.
The Combine involves several steps. Over the coming days, the country's top draft prospects go through orientation, medical and ortho exams, media interviews, and interviews with numerous NFL teams. Each of the 32 franchises, including the Panthers, gathers as much information as they can on players of interest, regardless of positioning.
After this, these players will go through numerous drills specified for their positions. The first groups will be defensive linemen and linebackers on Thursday. This is followed by defensive backs and tight ends on Friday. Running backs, quarterbacks, and wide receiver drills are on Saturday. The Combine concludes with offensive linemen and special teams players on Monday.
There will be players that will catch the eye of many, including the ones that run a fast 40-yard dash, have high vertical jumps, or a quick three-cone drill. There will be overreactions. In this instance, the tape will be important. I will have a chance to rewatch players following the Combine to see what I may have missed.
One thing is for sure and that is the Panthers first draft selection will be at the Combine this week. For this brand-new mock draft, I made a move that may raise some eyebrows using Pro Football Network's mock draft simulator.
Carolina Panthers trade down from No. 33
In this mock draft scenario, general manager Dan Morgan negotiates a trade back with the Indianapolis Colts, moving down 13 spots from No. 33 overall to No. 46 while gaining an extra third-round selection. The move also forced the Carolina Panthers to give up their final pick, No. 180, in the sixth round.
The Colts would go on to draft Panthers pre-draft favorite - Oregon wide receiver Troy Franklin. Without further ado, here is what I did in this trade-back scenario.
Carolina Panthers select Zach Frazier
- Center | West Virginia Mountaineers
- Round No. 2 | No. 46 overall (via Indianapolis Colts)
This is a calculated move, as a fair amount of the quality offensive tackle prospects are off the board at this point along with potential guard options. While there was some good value on the defensive side of the ball, Zach Frazier made the most sense here.
Incumbent starter Bradley Bozeman struggled mightily this past season. His flaws in pass protection and leveraging of opposing defenders were exposed. He's currently entering the second season of a three-year deal he signed last offseason. He was never a fit in the Carolina Panthers offense.
Bozeman should have competition this summer for his starting job. Frazier could be someone who walks in and takes it almost right away.
Frazier is someone that I have come to like as the draft process has moved along. He has some inconsistencies when it comes to maintaining balance and a sturdy base and doesn't blow anyone away with elite traits. Even so, he's a rock-solid center who has good mobility, physicality, and football IQ at the position.
At 6-foot-3 and 315 pounds, Frazier offers natural leverage and a mostly strong base. He does a great job of passing off stunts in the passing game and absorbs power very well. Due to his lack of length and high-level functional athleticism, the prospect is more of a technician and a good one at that.
Right now, the former country roadsman would be a quality trade-back option for the Panthers. If his stock continues to rise post-combine, Frazier could be one of the many possibilities at No. 33 overall.
Carolina Panthers select Ja'Tavion Sanders
- Tight End | Texas Longhorns
- Round No. 3 | No. 65 overall
In this mock draft scenario, some of the better wide receiver prospects in the early portion of Day 2 are off the board and there isn't enough value available that would raise eyebrows here. However, the Carolina Panthers need playmakers and adequate targets around second-year quarterback Bryce Young. This is a step in that direction.
While the tight end position isn't high on the Panthers' list of priorities, there is uncertainty around Hayden Hurst's future as the starter in Carolina. Ian Thomas should be let go, leaving Tommy Tremble as a potential building block for the franchise in 2024. Even so, they need a playmaker in the passing game.
Averaging nearly 16 yards per reception last season, Ja'Tavion Sanders fills the need for a receiving tight end and a potential big slot option early on. For someone who is 6-foot-4 and 243 pounds, the Texas prospect moves very well and can create after the catch.
The two-time All-Big 12 selection offers strong hands and good fluidity as a runner in the open field. He can be utilized in the screen game and offers plenty of growth as a blocker in the run game. Sanders won't ever win consistently at the line of scrimmage, but his skill set as a receiver early on will allow him to be a contributor in any NFL offense.
Sanders would be a complementary No. 2 tight end in the Panthers offense. He could be used creatively under head coach and offensive play-caller Dave Canales.
Carolina Panthers select Payton Wilson
- Linebacker | North Carolina State Wolfpack
- Round No. 3 | No. 82 overall (via Indianapolis Colts)
Frankie Luvu enjoyed a season where he was arguably one of the biggest focal points on defense. He showed his value as someone who should be with the Carolina Panthers for the long haul, especially as Shaq Thompson enters his 30s.
Yet, Luvu could test the free agent market, leaving a gaping hole on the second level next to Thompson.
Payton Wilson is the player I believe could be a great young replacement for Luvu. However, his medical exams at the NFL Scouting Combine this week will be huge for his draft stock.
Wilson has suffered three season-ending injuries, including two torn ACLs and an undisclosed shoulder complication that kept him out of the 2021 season. Not only that, the prospect will be 24 years old as a rookie - though this doesn't feel like another D.J. Johnson experiment.
He is a good football player, plain and simple. Wilson was an absolute force for North Carolina State in 2023, registering nearly 140 tackles, 17.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, and three interceptions. The former All-ACC selection offers incredible range and fluidity that allows him to attack from sideline to sideline.
A star player with the Wolfpack, Wilson has a great burst and football IQ that allows him to play with discipline versus the run and pass. While I believe he can improve his overall play strength, the prospect has shown to make good tackles in space.
This is a player who would provide a playmaking ability on the second level that Carolina would be welcoming to, assuming his medical investigations check out.
Carolina Panthers select Javon Baker
- Wide Receiver | UCF Knights
- Round No. 4 | No. 102 overall
I apologize for taking so long to mock a wide receiver to the Carolina Panthers, but the value here is tempting. This is a player I have heard offers a similar play style to Cincinnati Bengals star receiver Ja'Marr Chase. When you pop on this guy's film, it makes a ton of sense.
There's no question the Panthers should target a receiver or offensive lineman early in the draft. However, a scenario should be considered where Dan Morgan and Brandt Tilis find some playmakers through free agency, leading to less pressure in adding a receiver early. In this scenario, a potential diamond in the rough like Javon Baker is something to consider.
Baker's measurements are eerily similar to Chase's. The senior 6-foot-1, 208-pounder impressed at the Senior Bowl earlier in the month and raised the eyebrows of many in Mobile. This is a guy who averaged almost 22 yards per reception, which should give you a glimpse of what type of prospect he is.
While he's not the biggest receiver, Baker competes and wins at the catch point consistently. The former Alabama transfer displays ample body control and ball skills that allow him to succeed in 50-50 jump balls and make adjustments on the fly.
Bryce Young's former teammate could benefit from more refinement in plenty of areas. However, what Baker offers now could allow him to see targets early in his career considering the state of the Panthers' skill positions.
Carolina Panthers select Xavier Thomas
- Edge rusher | Clemson Tigers
- Round No. 5 | No. 141 overall
At some point, whether it's this year or another decade, the Carolina Panthers will draft a Clemson player. They may not have an immediate impact or none at all. But they will draft one. It's only a matter of time.
Carolina needs help at rush outside linebacker. Brian Burns is likely to be franchise-tagged, but there is still a glaring need on the edge, both in terms of starting talent and depth. Adding someone who can be a legitimate threat would be ideal for everyone on the Panthers' defense.
Xavier Thomas is going to be an older rookie similar to former edge prospect D.J. Johnson. Thankfully, the Clemson product offers a legitimate pass rush skill set that could make him a valuable asset to an NFL team. He's lightning-quick off the line of scrimmage and his explosiveness has shown to overwhelm opposing offensive tackles in pass protection.
Furthermore, the former 2018 five-star high school recruit offers great competitiveness and a high motor. Thomas brings endless effort to every play. That's the side effect of drafting a defensive prospect from Dabo Swinney's program.
Thomas would be a great fit in Ejiro Evero's defense as a rotational specialist with the rush and counter moves to win consistently off the edge.
Carolina Panthers select Javion Cohen
- Offensive Lineman | Miami Hurricanes
- Round No. 5 | No. 164 overall
It is expected of the Carolina Panthers to make additions to the offensive line. Depth and competition are sorely needed across the board. There is no guarantee that their two starting guards - Brady Christensen and Austin Corbett - will maintain a clean bill of health. Their jobs should not be guaranteed this summer.
Anytime I'm bored and messing around with a mock draft simulator, I always find myself mocking Javion Cohen to Carolina in the later rounds. The connection is there with being Bryce Young's ex-teammate and protector inside at Alabama. It would be great to see this connection reunited, but it would also add a player who brings versatility to the table.
Cohen's physical and athletic profile matches the one of a guard who could fit well in Dave Canales' zone-blocking scheme. He flashes in pass protection and displays the functional athleticism to work to the second level as a puller. Not only that, he offers quality football intelligence in his pass sets that allow him to identify pressure points.
The Miami product shouldn't be seen as a starter early on in his career. However, he should bring plenty of competition and depth at both guard spots.