NEWSLETTER
The Carolina Panthers have several positions to address in the 2024 NFL Draft after a rough 2-15 with rookie quarterback Bryce Young at the helm. Let’s dive into the team’s biggest needs heading into the draft as the team moves forward with new head coach Dave Canales.
Panthers In Rough Spot Without First-Rounder
The Panthers are without a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after sending multiple first-rounders to the Chicago Bears in exchange for the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. The Panthers gave up wide receiver DJ Moore along with the no. 9 and 61 picks in the 2023 draft. Also, they sent their 2024 first-round pick and a second-rounder in 2025.
It was a big move to get Bryce Young as their quarterback of the future. Now, Carolina has to draft extremely well to build around him after a horrible 2-15 season in 2023.
Panthers Biggest Needs
Unfortunately for Carolina, they have needs everywhere. They were 31st in points on offense and 32nd in yards. The defense was 29th in points due to being on the field all the time this year but they were able to rank 4th in yards given up.
Let’s look at some of the positions Carolina needs to address in the draft.
EDGE Rusher
Top edge rusher Brian Burns is gone after leading the team with 8 sacks in 2023. The Panthers need depth to get after the quarterback. In free agency, they added Jadeveon Clowney in free agency on a two-year deal but he is 31 and no longer an every-down player. They will need to add a young talent off the edge to help boost a pass rush that recorded a league-worst 27 sacks in 2023.
Wide Receiver
The Panthers added Diontae Johnson from the Steelers in a trade but still need more depth at wide receiver to help out their young QB Bryce Young. Adam Thielen was Young’s top target in 2023 but he is 33 years old. DJ Chark was second on the team with just 525 yards and he hit free agency this past March. Another young wideout would be a nice addition to the group that needs depth.
Defensive Back
Carolina picked up cornerback Dane Jackson and safety Jordan Fuller in free agency to add depth to a group that recently saw Jaycee Horn and Donte Jackson released. The Panthers will still need another nickel-type corner to upgrade the secondary that has holes to fill.
Linebacker
Brian Burns and Frankie Luvu are gone which leaves holes at the linebacker position. Free agent Jadeveon Clowney will help and Carolina also added Josey Jewell, DJ Wonnum, and K’Lavon Chaisson to build up the depth for the unit. The inside linebacker position will need a long-term solution and could be a point of focus in the 2024 NFL Draft for the Panthers.
Tight End
Bryce Young is going to need weapons at wide receiver and tight end as the team moves forward. The leading TE on the 2023 roster was Tommy Tremble who had just 194 yards receiving. Hayden Hurst had 184 yards. Hurst is now on the Los Angeles Chargers and Carolina will need to add depth for Bryce Young as the team hopes for an uptick in production in 2024 from the TE unit.
List of Panthers Picks for the 2024 NFL Draft
As we said before, the blockbuster trade to get the number 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft has left the Panthers without a first-round pick in 2024. Check out the complete list of Panthers picks for this year.
