The Panthers didn’t have a first-round pick in 2024 but moved up into the first to give Bryce Young another weapon. This offense could be on the up and up, and the Panthers 2024 draft grades correlate.
Carolina Panthers 2024 Draft Grades
First Round (Pick 32) Xavier Legette, WR, C-
To be fair to Panthers fans, Legette wasn’t the worst pick in the first round. Just one of them. He’s a fifth-year breakout who still needs refinement and succeeds with athleticism. At least he’s going to a system that can get him designed touches with Canales.
Legette needs to take some serious steps forward in his route running ability before being trusted in game defining situations. He succeeded at college by being bigger, faster and stronger than the corners covering him, which won’t be the case at the next level.
Second Round (Pick 46) Jonathon Brooks RB, B+
There were only two running backs that move the needle in this draft, and the Panthers made sure to get one of them. Brooks might need some time to get back from his ACL tear, but that’s what Hubbard is there for.
Watch – Jonathon Brooks Film Study
Third Round (Pick 72) Trevin Wallace, LB, C
Wallace had a down year in 2023, but if he can return to his 2022 form he’s a steal. He’s a physical freak with the explosiveness to make every play, which is part of why it was so frustrating watching him take a step back in 2023.
Fourth Round (Pick 101) Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, A
Sanders plummeted down draft boards after his combine performance, but the Panthers add another weapon to Young’s arsenal. His game speed is much better than his testing in shorts showed, and he’s likely a huge upgrade over Tommy Tremble down the seam. If someone can earn targets in the center of the field, it’s Sanders.
Fifth Round (Pick 157) Chau Smith-Wade, CB, B
At this point in the draft, special teams and athleticism pay the bills. Smith-Wade will likely never be a full time starter for the Panthers, but his ball skills and adequate athleticism will keep him around the organization for years to come.
Sixth Round (Pick 157) Jaden Crumedy, DT, B
Maybe Crumedy works his way into the rotation at DT. Maybe he never does, but he’s tall and long and can contribute on field goal block early. His run stopping ability will get him on the field in goal line situations, and if he makes a single tackle for a loss this year he was worth it in the sixth round.
Seventh Round (Pick 240) Michael Barrett, LB, A+
The Panthers add a key cog of the Michigan defense at the end of the draft. There’s a chance his success was symptom of having elite defenders in front of him. Or maybe he was really that good at identifying plays ahead of time and being in the right place, at the right time, with the right plays. Barrett could rotate in at linebacker early and make some splash plays if all falls correctly in Carolina.
Main Photo Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
