The 2024 NFL Draft is right around the corner. It will be interesting to see who the Carolina Panthers draft in April. Here are four prospects the Panthers should have their eyes on.
Ladd McConkey, WR (Georgia)
The Panthers have liked the Georgia wideout for a few weeks because they need weapons for Bryce Young (not Walmart Cashiers and Adam Thielen). Unfortunately, Carolina does not have a first-round pick (thanks to David Tepper, Scott Fritterer, and Frank Reich for making Carolina a garbage position in this year's draft), and McConkey seems like one of the better options at wideout in this year's draft. He should conceivably be there after round one.
Adonai Mitchell, WR (Texas)
The 6'4" former Texas wide receiver would be a terrific option for Young with his speed (at the combine, he ran a 4.34 40-yard dash). He can also be that vertical threat Carolina has been missing. He's long and lanky, which would be great if a shorter corner guards him. Thielen would be a great veteran influence for Mitchell.
However, his yards after-catch issue is worth noting, which is why he may fall to draft night. It would be a shame if he fell to pick 33 and the Panthers drafted him (hopefully, he does fall so Carolina does not have to trade up to get a top WR from this class).
Xavier Worthy, WR (Texas)
Mitchell's Texas teammate Xavier Worthy has shot up draft boards since his record-breaking 4.21-second 40-yard dash. So this prospect is probably the least likely for Carolina to draft (then again, people did not think the Kansas City Chiefs would win the Super Bowl back-to-back). That being said, Worthy has that elite speed and separation Carolina has been searching for since D.J Moore left for Chicago in last year's trade (that trade is how Carolina got Bryce Young, so it's not all bad).
Caelen Carson, CB (Wake Forest)
Carson is more likely to be drafted by the Panthers than anyone on this list. The Wake Forest cornerback has expressed interest in being a Panther (which not many NFL players want to be).
Carson is a tremendous cornerback, especially when it comes to man, which the Panthers play quite a bit. Pairing him with Jaycee Horn is the best that Dave Canales and Dan Morgan can do during the draft (other than drafting an elite WR or Lineman). In addition, Carson is already in North Carolina as a Demon Deacon, so he wouldn't have to move far (this is similar to when Carolina drafted NC State Ikem Ekwonu a couple of years ago).
And just for fun, this is Carson playing lockdown defense versus Keon Coleman and the Florida Seminoles. He is a press-man corner.
Thank you to Prince Highlights on YouTube for the college highlights. These are four prospects (post-combine) that the Carolina Panthers should have their eyes on (and meet with) before the draft season starts in April (although if you're a Carolina fan, draft season started Week 9).
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