It’s been just one week, but a 37-point loss at the hands of the New Orleans Saints has put an early bad taste in the mouth of everyone involved with the Carolina Panthers. While the franchise remains a work in progress with second-year QB Bryce Young and first-year head coach Dave Canales, steps have to be taken this fall if the Panthers eye a future with Young under center.
Year one was a feeling out period. Now, it’s about production and showcasing the ability to lead an offense at the NFL level for last year’s top overall pick. But if Week 1 was an indication as to how 2024 may play out, Carolina could have a ton of questions to answer toward their future at the position should a lack of success continue. Here is an early look at where general manager Dan Morgan could go next April.
Round 1 (No. 2 overall): Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Making the full-time move to EDGE this fall, I expect Abdul Carter to skyrocket up draft boards. He bolds all of the boxes teams look for in a potential game-wrecker on passing downs, and has the athleticism to do it all within the front seven. This could also be a spot for a tackle, should Ikem Ekwonu fail to improve in year three.
Round 2 (No. 34 overall): Marcus Mbow, OT, Purdue
A prospect whose name is expected to generate more and more buzz as the fall wears on, make sure to flip on the Purdue Boilermakers at times this year to watch Marcus Mbow (pronounced ‘bow’) go to work. A primary right guard and right tackle during his time at Purdue, Mbow has the length and athleticism that could see a move to the left side down the road. In 736 pass pro snaps, Mbow has allowed just one sack thus far in his collegiate career (as of Week 3 in 2024).
Round 3 (No. 68 overall): Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
If Young remains the future, continuing to surround him with weapons would be wise. Whether Deion Burks aligns in the slot or the perimeter, his route-running and creativity after the catch showcase a player that will warrant a hefty target share on Sundays. He also plays much larger than his 5-foot-11 frame, a trait teams love in pass-catchers.
Round 4 (No. 103 overall): Jay Toia, DL, UCLA
Powerful and explosive, Jay Toia has the skill set to come in and boost Carolina’s run defense right away. With the recent injury to Derrick Brown, adding a young talent to play in his hip pocket could be wise. Toia’s explosiveness at 320-plus pounds sets a nice foundation for potential as a pass-rusher, also.
Round 5 (No. 139 overall): Trey Moore, EDGE, Texas
Keep an eye on Trey Moore as the season progresses, as his name has a chance to skyrocket up boards the more Texas continues to win ball games. A transfer to the Longhorns from UTSA, he’s extremely explosive, provides outstanding alignment versatility, and is the exact type of player who can wear a variety of hats that teams tend to target in the middle rounds.
Round 5 (No. 140 overall): Devin Moore, CB, Florida
No relation to the pick above, Florida corner Devin Moore’s biggest question during the process will be about his longevity. The talent is there. The size, length, and movement skills are all there, but his ability to remain on the field is of the utmost importance in finalizing his projection. A former four-star recruit, Moore is the exact type of player teams take fliers on toward the back end of the draft.
Round 6 (No. 174 overall): DJ Lundy, LB, Florida State
A violent defender in the middle of the Seminoles' defense, expectations are for DJ Lundy to evolve into a multi-phase contributor down the line. Meaning, he should make an impact both on defense and on special teams as a core contributor. He doesn’t project—at this time—as a player who will live in the middle on all three downs, but he’s someone whose effort and fire should quickly carve out a nice role at the next level. He’s a player you want strapping up beside you each week.
Round 7 (229 overall): Noah Fifita, QB, Arizona
Noah Fifita is a flat-out competitor under center. It doesn’t matter the defense he’s facing or the environment he’s in, he operates at his own tempo with a high level of accuracy and confidence under center. He makes his money inside the pocket, where his ability to read defenses showcased extremely well in the Pac-12 in 2023 (25 TDs to 6 INTs). Projecting him as an NFL starter would be rich at this point in his evaluation, but how he wins under center paints the picture of a potential NFL backup. At a minimum, he would push Young each practice as a face in the rearview mirror.
Round 7 (245 overall): Terrell Dawkins, EDGE, North Texas
A highly experienced pass-rusher, Terrell Dawkins’ 2024 campaign is his sixth in college football. With stops in the SEC (South Carolina) and ACC (NC State), Dawkins will enter the draft process as experienced as any edge threat in the 2025 class. So far through two games, Dawkins leads all of college football with 14 pressures. You can never have enough players who understand how to rush the passer, and Dawkins fits the script as a player with low risk, high reward should he pan out rotationally here late in the seventh round.
