A blockbuster trade in the 2023 NFL Draft netted the Carolina Panthers its quarterback for the foreseeable future in former Alabama slinger Bryce Young, but they were left without a first-round pick in 2024.
That was until they traded up into the back end of the first round with the Buffalo Bills. After acquiring a first-round pick, let’s take a look at a full list of the Panthers’ 2024 draft picks.
Carolina Panthers Draft Picks by Round in 2024
- Round 1, Pick 32 (from BUF)
Xavier Legette, WR | South Carolina - Round 2, Pick 46 (from IND)
Jonathon Brooks, RB | Texas - Round 3, Pick 72 (from NYJ)
Trevin Wallace, LB | Kentucky - Round 4, Pick 101
J’Tavion Sanders, TE | Texas - Round 5, Pick 157 (from NYJ through CLE, MIN)
Chau Smith-Wade, CB | Washington State - Round 6, Pick 200 (from BUF)
Jaden Crumedy, DT | Mississippi State - Round 7, Pick 240 (from PIT)
Michael Barrett, LB | Michigan
Who Did the Panthers Draft in 2024?
Xavier Legette, WR, Round 1, Pick 32
One of the NFL’s worst kept secrets leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft was Carolina’s interest in Xavier Legette. Panthers head coach Dave Canales apparently told Legette they were going to select him. Sure enough, Carolina traded up to grab Legette with the No. 32 overall selection.
KEEP READING: Xavier Legette Scouting Report
Legette emerged onto the scene last season at South Carolina, following multiple years of nearly zero production on the field. Yet his size, athleticism and skillset should give Panthers quarterback Bryce Young a promising target to work with. Pro Football Network’s Ian Cummings discussed Legette’s skillset in his scouting report.
Xavier Legette boasts a rare size-speed profile and tremendous upside. 🚀#KeepPounding | #SpursUp pic.twitter.com/SEcRIJjKC6
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 26, 2024
“Size-speed profiles like Legette’s simply don’t come around often,” Cummings said. “He ran a 4.39-second 40-yard dash at 220 pounds and also hit as fast as 22.3 MPH in-game during the 2023 season. Not only is Legette’s top-end speed enthralling, but he reaches that speed almost instantly and can warp coverage and tackling angles as a result.”
Jonathon Brooks, RB, Round 2, Pick 46
After the first round predictably went without a running back selected, the Carolina Panthers not only made Jonathon Brooks the first one off the board, they traded up to get him.
With their 2023 free agent signing of Miles Sanders failing spectacularly, the Panthers decided they did not want to roll with Chuba Hubbard as their clear lead back. Brooks steps into an offense that projects to be one of the worst in the league, but that also could surprise if Bryce Young takes a big step forward.
NFL Draft Analyst Ian Cummings said this about Brooks. “In the right range — mid-to-late Day 2 or early on Day 3 — Jonathon Brooks can be an exceptional addition to an RB rotation. Provided that he doesn’t lose any burst after recovering from a torn ACL, he can be a solid-if-unspectacular scheme-versatile starter at RB, with passing down upside.”
Trevin Wallace, LB, Round 3, Pick 72
NFL Draft Analyst Ian Cummings sees mostly positive things for Kentucky LB Trevin Wallace.
Early in his NFL career, Trevin Wallace can be a quality starter as a weak-side or WILL linebacker with three-down utility. And in time, with more reps, he can grow to be an impact starter at WILL or even a potential option at the MIKE spot.
J’Tavion Sanders, TE, Round 4, Pick 101
The 2023 Panthers severely lacked offensive weapons. It’s clear the front office understood that, as they added their third one of the 2024 NFL Draft in Tennessee TE J’Tavion Sanders.
The third TE off the board, Sanders should be a quality situational presence with his RAC and catch-point appeal, and he can grow to become a quality starter year in and year out.
Chau Smith-Wade, CB, Round 5, Pick 157
A multi-year starter at Washington State, Chau Smith-Wade is one of the more intriguing Day 3 options at CB. He’s an average athlete for his size at 5’10”, 184 pounds, but he’s explosive enough to survive in recovery and off-man, and as his Senior Bowl showing displayed, he’s a feisty, physical DB with slot and boundary versatility.
Jaden Crumedy, DT, Round 6, Pick 200
Able to line up from 3 to 5-tech, Jaden Crumedy has some impressive flashes on his film. Still, his fire can run hot and cold with inconsistent technique.
Michael Barrett, LB, Round 7, Pick 240
The Panthers could certainly afford to get younger and faster at the linebacker position with both Shaq Thompson and Josey Jewell both set to be north of 30 years old by the end of the 2024 NFL season. Carolina decided to spend its final pick of the draft on Michigan linebacker Michael Barrett at No. 240 overall.
Barrett flashes potential as a three-down off-ball linebacker, but his overall lack of elite measurables or physical tools likely cap his ceiling as a rotational, situation-driven linebacker at the professional level.
