• Round 2, Pick 33: WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia — The Georgia product is just 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, measurements that tell you he’ll play most of his snaps in the slot in the pros, but don’t let that be a reason to sleep on him. He has the quickness to succeed from the slot, but he also has legit deep speed and can be a vertical threat as an outside or inside receiver.
• Round 3, Pick 65: EDGE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State — Sawyer's pass-rush win percentage is lower, so he may never be a takeover type of pass-rusher. But he’s a three-down player at the next level and the kind of high-floor edge player Carolina needs.
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The Carolina Panthers have the worst record in the NFL entering Week 16, but they don’t hold their first-round pick to benefit from that, having traded it to the Chicago Bears to move up to No. 1 overall in the 2023 NFL Draft.
With a lot of team needs and no first-round pick, the Panthers have to hit it big on the picks they do have later in the draft. Here’s what the first five rounds of their draft could look like come April.
Round 2, Pick 33: WR Ladd McConkey, Georgia
The Panthers need new receivers — that's hardly breaking news. Thankfully for them, the 2024 draft presents a very deep receiver class.
Carolina could draft any type of receiver — big X, speedy flanker or shifty slot — and get a good return on the investment, given the number of snaps the team will have up for grabs in 2024.
That said, I like the idea of them grabbing McConkey at the top of the second round. The Georgia product is just 5-foot-11 and 185 pounds, measurements that tell you he’ll play most of his snaps in the slot in the pros, but don’t let that be a reason to sleep on him. He has the quickness to succeed from the slot, but he also has legit deep speed and can be a vertical threat as an outside or inside receiver.
His route running is crisp, and he generates separation consistently. His separation against single coverage falls in the 83rd percentile when stacked against recent pro players. That’s the kind of receiver Bryce Young needs. When the Panthers need a completed pass, he needs to know he has someone who can create a throwing window — and McConkey can.
Round 3, Pick 65: EDGE Jack Sawyer, Ohio State
Sawyer, the former five-star edge rusher, would be a welcomed addition to the Panthers defensive line opposite Brian Burns.
At 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds, Sawyer is just a well-built edge prospect. He’s a good all-around athlete, and because of that, he played more as a “Jack” off-ball linebacker in 2022 just to get on the field.
In 2023, he played a lot more as a true defensive end. He has a nice first step and a great understanding of what wins at the position — good hands, leverage and a good pass-rush plan. The junior is also a very solid run defender.
Sawyer's pass-rush win percentage is lower, so he may never be a takeover type of pass-rusher. But he’s a three-down player at the next level and the kind of high-floor edge player Carolina needs.
Round 4, Pick 101: OL Sataoa Laumea, Utah
Laumea has played right tackle for the Utah Utes for the past two seasons, but I believe his best position at the next level is on the interior at guard.
Carolina certainly needs some new life on the interior offensive line. Laumea fires off the ball quickly and aggressively and doesn't just look to block the guys in front of him; he looks to take them out of the play.
That mentality could allow him to thrive at guard.
Round 5, Pick 138: TE Dallin Holker, Colorado State
Carolina's tight end roomneeds some new life and a potential long-term starter.
Holker is an older prospect, having started his college football career at BYU in 2018 before going on a two-year church mission and returning to football in 2021 and 2022. He transferred to Colorado State in 2023.
He had a career year for the Rams, totaling over 700 receiving yards and hauling in 10 of his 19 contested targets. He also graded very well as a pass-blocker at 78.0.
He’s the kind of tight end who can line up on the line of scrimmage, in the backfield or in the slot. He is likely not a TE1 type of athlete, but he is a really solid player.
Round 5, Pick 168: WR Moose Muhammad III, Texas A&M
With all the receiver needs in Carolina, why not wrap this mock draft up with a bow with a legacy selection?
Moose Muhammad’s father, Muhsin Muhammad, was drafted by the Panthers in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft. His son has played the last four years at Texas A&M.
He had a good amount of success in 2022, but he just didn’t see a lot of targets this year due to a talented receiver room. But when you watch him, you see a smooth route runner and a player who understands how to win at the position.
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