Carolina Attempts To Reload Talent In 2024 3-Round Mock
It's no secret at this point that the Carolina Panthers overpaid for Bryce Young; hindsight is 20/20. So, let's deal with the two picks they do have in the first three rounds. Disclaimer! I did this mock on 12/5/2023 but their needs and draft position shouldn't change much. The Panthers need more playmakers on offense and more depth on defense.
With one of the league's worst passing offenses and rushing defenses, these two picks look to help right the ship in both departments. They won't immediately fix the problem on their own but will hopefully make both units more respectable.
Round 2 Pick 33 Xaiver Worthy WR Texas
This offense needs explosiveness added to it because DJ Chark shouldn't be the only big play threat on the team at this point in his career. Adam Thielen is a great chain mover but doesn't have the burst he once did. Jonathan Mingo could step into that chain mover role since he has been impressive in burst this season.
"He’s very good working outside the numbers, showing excellent ball-tracking skills, and he does the little things well downfield, including leaving enough room on the sideline for his quarterback to drop in a throw. He's demonstrated he's much faster now. An impressively skilled route runner. Shows excellent discipline and makes sharp cuts". NFLDraftBuzz.com
Xavier brings burst in spades, and he is a big play waiting to happen on almost any down. Worthy might be the fastest receiver in this draft, but he isn't just a field stretcher; he can used on screens and isn't afraid to catch the ball in traffic. Adding him to this group can help a struggling Bryce Young.
Round 3 Pick 65 Jonah Elliss EDGE Utah
Elliss is a very skilled athlete who can get after the QB and be successful on rushing downs. In today's NFL, a four-down edge player is like striking gold. Jonah still has room to develop secondary pass-rush moves, and he isn't the most lengthy defender on the field, which is why he slips to the top of the third.
In 2023 as a junior Elliss played in 10 games and contributed on 573 snaps. He recorded 17 tackles, 6 assists while making 25 stops. As a pass rusher, he produced 41 total pressures, which included 26 QB hurries, 2 QB hits, and an outstanding 13 sacks on the year. NFLDraftBuzz.com
What Elliss needs to improve on is exactly what Brian Burns is good at, he would be a great play to study from in order to develop. The Panthers have a big issue in the run game, and Elliss could come in on day one and be a contributor; he has a nose for the ball and finds creases in the line to find it.
End Of Rant
The Panthers are going to get a full front office, and coaching staff rehauls, but they are going to need to add productive players through the next two or three offseasons to get where they want to be. That division is soft, so it may not take as long to be a playoff team, but a true competitor is still a way down the road. Worthy and Elliss are good pieces to help the cause.
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