The Carolina Panthers’ 2023 season couldn’t have gone much worse. Ever since Bryce Young’s rookie year ended, the Panthers have heightened their focus on surrounding the No. 1 overall pick with more talent as he heads into season two.
These additions have included reinforcing the interior offensive line, plus getting another playmaker with separation skills in Diontae Johnson at the receiver position. Yet, this Panthers roster still needs more work.
Of course, the 2024 NFL Draft will present first-year GM Dan Morgan with the opportunity to add a lot more talent to Carolina’s roster, but the Panthers don’t have a first-round pick. Still, despite being a bit light on draft capital, the Panthers still possess three picks in the top 65 and four selections in the first 101 picks. These draft choices should present Morgan with plenty of opportunities to add an immediate impact player who can help Carolina’s young QB take the next step in his development.
But who are some players the Panthers may be targeting early on?
Keon Coleman and Xavier Legette could be Carolina Panthers draft targets
ESPN’s Matt Miller is as plugged into the NFL Draft world as any other analyst, and he’s been hearing a few fascinating things about the Panthers, including a couple draft targets for Carolina.
“A conversation with an evaluator for the Panthers brought up the team’s desire to add playmakers around second-year quarterback Bryce Young early in this draft. “If we want to keep our jobs, we’ll get him some help,” the evaluator said. The Panthers could target wide receivers Keon Coleman (FSU) or Xavier Legette (South Carolina) at No. 33. Legette’s South Carolina pro day was heavily attended by the Panthers’ front office and coaching staff, and Carolina also met with Legette twice during Senior Bowl week, per a source close to the player.”
ESPN NFL Draft expert Matt Miller on Carolina Panthers’ team needs
Local Panthers reporter David Newton also contributed his two cents, suggesting the Panthers may not be locked in on a receiver with their first pick. However, he also suggested that while a receiver or tight end may not be the pick at 33, it’s surely on the radar at 39 if the Panthers pick another prospect first.
As Miller noted, the Panthers are heavily scouting receiver prospects who could land in their draft range. We may not know exactly who will be catching passes from Bryce Young in Carolina next season, but you can be sure the Panthers won’t escape the draft without addressing their need for playmaking weapons.
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