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Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

2024 Carolina Panthers Mock Draft: Fixing the Tepper Mess

Originally posted on Full Press Coverage
By Terrance Biggs | Last updated 3/27/24

During the Tepper Era, the Carolina Panthers looked like a rudderless ship. They can use a strong draft to fill holes to rebuild.

Regardless of how you slice it, the Carolina Panthers have been a complete disaster. Whether it’s the medding of owner David Tepper or the failure to find a good coach, Carolina cannot fix this. Yet, as quiet as kept, the new regime, lead by General Manager Dan Morgan and Head Coach Dave Canales appear confident. After a free agency period where the franchise addressed a myriad of issue, the 2024 NFL Draft looms. Now, the Panthers have a chance to re-write their present while building for the future.

33rd Overall (Austin Booker, EDGE, Kansas)

Nineteen of the Panthers’ twenty-seven sacks left in the offseason. Of those, 13.5 of those belonged to Brain Burns and Frankie Luvu. In all honesty, the Panthers brought in place holders that can and will give way to talented players. In Booker, Carolina can turn him loose against the pass early, while he learns to stop the run. Wingspan and first step remain Booker’s best attributes. With the length of his stride, he gets even with the offensive tackle in an eyeblink. Basically, the defense needs twitched-up playmakers upfront.

39th Overall (Xavier Leggette, WR, South Carolina)

Despite trading for Diontae Johnson this winter, the Panthers still need a great deal of receiving help. They don’t employ any gamebreakers that can also use physicality. Meanwhile, Xavier Leggette will show up to camp, ready to fight corners for the ball. On film, Leggette brings straight-line speed and the ability to win jump balls/contested catches by manhandling opponents. Leggette, at this place in the draft becomes not only a value pick but a need pick. Bryce Young needs a vertical target that can stretch the field and prevent teams from lurking in the box. For a team that averaged only 9.3 yards per reception, Leggette fills the void. Plus, coaches love his tenacious approach to blocking.

65th Overall (Cole Bishop, S, Utah)

Both Jordan Fuller and Xavier Woods are soon-to-be free agents. Additionally, neither profile as a starter on a young, rebuilding defense. On the other hand, Bishop brings aggressiveness, technique, and the ability to control the run. Carolina sat in the bottom third of the NFL in allowed rushing yards, touchdowns, and turnovers forced. In fact, those last two categories saw them rank dead last. As a result, the need for an impact safety to force the action becomes of utmost importance.

101st Overall (Ben Sinnott TE, Kansas State)

Despite the Panthers drafting him in the third round of the 2021, Tommy Tremble failed to impress. Tallying just sixty-two total catches during his career does not work. Under those circumstances, a tight end. Bryce Young needs that security blanket with playmaking ability like most passers want. Sinnott is a prospect that can high point the ball in traffic, beating defenders to a spot with burst. As a blocker, Sinnott displays a knack for keeping the defender in front of him, locking on and fighting to the whistle. Look for him to win in the red zone and on the plus side of the fifty-yard-line.

141st Overall (Beaux Limmer, G/C, Arkansas)

In a word, the Panthers’ offensive line was atrocious. Bryace Young did not have a moment to catch his breath without the defense in his lap. Although the club bolstered the guard position, center still needs a long term solution. After this season, Austin Corbett can walk. In using a draft pick on Limmer, Carolina can ready him to take over in 2025. Limmer is a fighter in a phone booth. he will win the initial block and climb to the next level with power and footwork. While he excels at run blocking, the pass pro can be an emerging trait with coaching.

142nd Overall (Isaac Guerendo, RB, Louisville)

Caolina wasted money on Miles Sanders. Additionally, Chuba Hubbard is a decent but rather pedestrian in the explosion category. Neither scare defenses. Yet, both will start. Meanwhile, in the background, the former Louisville would present the Panthers with a dual threat from the running back position. Guerendo can explode by defenders, catch the ball out of the backfield and bloody noses with blitz pickup. Guerendo just needs to run with a step more patience before attempting to truck opponets. At this point in the draft, Carolina needs playmakers, which they desperately lack.

240th Overall (Marist Liufau, LB, Notre Dame)

Behind the Carolina starters at linebacker, little depth and special-teams energy exists. Under those circumstances, the Panthers need a catalyst on defense. With the NFL rules changing on kickoff returns, teams need special teamers that will throw themselves into the fray. Lufau may never see a down as a starter on defense. Yet, Liufau can make an immediate impact with his penchant for legal football violence.