The Carolina Panthers had a disappointing 2023 season, finishing with a record of 2-15 and missing the playoffs. As they prepare for the upcoming NFL Draft, the Panthers have draft picks in each round, including multiple selections in the 2nd and 5th rounds.
One of their top needs going into the draft is help on defense, as they struggled on that side of the ball last season. The Panthers traded away Brian Burns, leaving them with a weakened defensive unit that needs more support. Additionally, reinforcements are needed at wide receiver, as they struggled to produce consistent offense last year.
In order to address these needs, the Panthers will need to make smart choices with their Day 2 picks. Without a first-round pick due to a trade, they will have to rely on their later selections to find valuable contributors for their roster.
The Panthers earned a B grade in last year’s draft, but got little production from their rookie class aside from flashes from quarterback Bryce Young. With Young struggling due to a lack of reliable targets, the Panthers will need to do better in this year’s draft to support him and improve their offense.
A dream fantasy draft pick for the Panthers would be adding more talent at wide receiver to support Diontae Johnson and bolster their offense. With a deep receiver class in this year’s draft, players like Keon Coleman and Xavier Legette could be first-round talents that fall to the Panthers’ first pick in the 2nd round. Adding more playmakers on offense will be crucial for the Panthers if they want to improve in the upcoming season
