The Carolina Panthers were the worst team in the NFL in 2023, winning just two games. Insult was added to injury as fans began to remember that the Panthers didn’t have their first-round pick this season due to the trade-up for the No. 1 pick a year ago. The team is hoping that yet another new head coach could be the answer to righting the ship as Dave Canales takes over after Frank Reich’s mid-season firing last year.
Carolina had plenty of offensive holes to fill and needed to get a little creative this offseason. The Panthers started by acquiring wide receiver Diontae Johnson in a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers. They then traded up to select South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette with the final pick in the first round and added Texas running back Jonathan Brooks in the second.
Here’s a look at the projected offensive depth chart for the 2024 Carolina Panthers following the 2024 NFL Draft.
Panthers depth chart 2024
Quarterback
Running back
Wide receiver
Tight end
Kicker
Biggest offensive NFL Draft additions
Legette, Brooks and Sanders are the biggest additions for Carolina through the draft. It remains to be seen what the trios’ exact impact will be. Many, including myself, despite being a Panther and Gamecock supporter, believe that they reached Legette. He had one good year at South Carolina, and a popular comparison for him was Mingo, who the Panthers already underutilize.
Brooks is coming off a torn ACL, and reports suggest he should be fine for training camp, barring a setback. He has the talent to take over this backfield, and Carolina has made a solid effort to improve its offensive line this offseason. At some point, the Panthers are going to draft a tight end they like, and they hope that Sanders will be it. He should be able to beat out Tremble and Thomas, but the Panthers have a noted history of believing in their tight ends just a little too long.
Player most impacted by NFL Draft for fantasy football
I was trying to decide between Bryce Young and Adam Thielen, but then realized the answer is definitely Miles Sanders. I don’t think that Young is going to be viable for fantasy football this season other than a prayer late-round pick in best-ball leagues. Still, the future is theoretically brighter with better players around him. Thielen could miss out on targets with the addition of Legette and Sanders and that was what kept him relevant for fantasy.
Sanders feels like he is on a slippery slope. He had a huge 2022 for the Philadelphia Eagles and turned it into a decent payday with Carolina. Whether it was injury or a bad offensive line and scheme, he wasn’t able to perform last season. Sanders has seemingly been replaced by Brooks and could even fall to third on the depth chart if Hubbard plays well. Some even believe he won’t survive training camp with the Panthers and will either be cut or traded.