Panthers NFL Draft big board: 45 potential targets, including a bunch of WRs — and a few QBs

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Our latest (and last) version of a Carolina Panthers’ big board differs from the first iteration in two significant areas: This one includes potential Day 3 targets and a few quarterbacks.

A month after Dave Canales indicated at the owners’ meetings the Panthers would keep three quarterbacks, we’ve heard some buzz that Canales and general manager Dan Morgan could take one during the draft. Even after going all-in to draft Bryce Young at No. 1 a year ago, adding another quarterback in the draft makes sense for a couple of reasons:

• Veteran backup Andy Dalton is in the final year of his contract.

• Both Canales and Morgan were in Seattle with GM John Schneider, who got his start in Green Bay under Ron Wolf. The former Packers GM once took quarterbacks in seven of eight drafts, despite having some guy named Favre as the starter.

Only one of those quarterbacks was drafted higher than the fifth round — Aaron Brooks in 1999. Given the Panthers’ other needs, it seems likely Morgan wouldn’t take a QB until the third day of the draft, if he takes one at all.

Having said that in the way of a preamble — and with the help of The Athletic’s Dane Brugler and “The Beast” — let’s big board.

Day 2 prospects

Wide receivers

Xavier Legette, South Carolina

We’ve had Legette going to the Panthers in our last two mocks. The team has seemingly been interested in the fast, physical receiver from early in the pre-draft process, meeting with him twice at the Senior Bowl and taking a big contingent to Columbia for his pro day. Legette pulled in seven touchdowns last fall, averaged 17.7 yards a catch and was clocked at 22.3 mph against Mississippi State, the fastest time by a ballcarrier in the NCAA or NFL.

Ladd McConkey, Georgia

The fast but diminutive McConkey has become a Panthers’ favorite among the mock draft crowd. And for good reason: Despite fairly pedestrian numbers for the Bulldogs, McConkey is very quick in and out of his cuts and can separate, an attribute that was largely missing among the Panthers’ receivers in 2023.

Adonai Mitchell, Texas

At 6-2 and 205 pounds, Mitchell is appreciably bigger than McConkey and ran a slightly faster 40 at the combine. The two were teammates at Georgia, where Mitchell caught the go-ahead touchdown in the 2021 national championship game. Mitchell had a big season in his one-year stop at Texas, leading the Big 12 with 11 receiving touchdowns and averaging 15.4 yards a catch.

Keon Coleman, Florida State

Coleman is a long athlete who can jump. And in this age of specialization, the 6-3, 213-pounder spent parts of two seasons on Tom Izzo’s basketball team at Michigan State before concentrating on football. Coleman, whose cousin is Cowboys wideout CeeDee Lamb, uses his size and strength well to make contested catches — some of which were the result of lacking the elite speed to separate.

Xavier Worthy, Texas

From a purely speed standpoint, no one can top Worthy, who set a combine record with 4.21-second clocking in the 40. But Worthy has a slight frame (5-11, 165) and could have difficulty defeating press coverage. But it’s hard to argue with his college production: He had three seasons with at least 60 receptions and finished in the top five in Longhorns’ history in receiving yards (2,755) and TD catches (26).

Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky

The 5-10, 207-pound Corley played 91.6 percent of his college snaps in the slot (shoutout Brugler and “The Beast”), and has the look of a gadget-type receiver with big, yards-after-catch potential than a traditional wideout. During his nearly 1,300-yard season in 2022, Corley led all FBS receivers in YAC and forced missed tackles.

Troy Franklin, Oregon

Franklin was Bo Nix’s favorite target in 2023 when he turned in the most prolific receiving season in Oregon history. Franklin, who boasts a nice size-speed combination, posted video-game numbers for the Ducks on the way to single-season, school records for catches (81), receiving yards (1,383), receiving TDs (14) and 100-yard games (eight).

Jalen McMillan, Washington

After a 1,000-yard season in 2022 when he pulled in nearly 80 passes from Michael Penix Jr., McMillan’s production fell off last year because of injuries and a predominance of underneath routes. Per Brugler, 71 percent of McMillan’s catches came within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. But the former baseball outfielder can go get the ball in the air when given the chance.

Brenden Rice, USC

Like McMillan, the Panthers reportedly scheduled a pre-draft visit for Rice. The son of Hall of Famer Jerry Rice had a nose for the end zone (like his dad) in college, leading the Trojans with 12 receiving touchdowns last fall. But he doesn’t have top-end speed and is not an exceptional route runner. Brugler views Rice and McMillan as third- or fourth-round prospects.

Tez Walker, North Carolina

The Charlotte native had a nomadic college experience, bouncing from school to school and enduring an NCAA eligibility saga before finally being cleared to play for the Tar Heels last fall. Walker made the most of his brief time in Chapel Hill, with seven receiving TDs and a 17.0 yards-per-catch average in eight games. Walker has impressive, straight-line speed but had a total of 12 drops the past two seasons.

Other positions

Spencer Rattler, QB, South Carolina

A Legette-Rattler reunion in Charlotte, anyone? Probably not, since Rattler is projected by most analysts to go in the third round, which would seem to be too early for the Panthers. But the former Oklahoma QB has sound mechanics, excellent touch and a strong, accurate arm. He set the Gamecocks’ school record with a 67.5 career completion percentage.

Trey Benson, RB, Florida State

Dave Canales is committed to the running game and might want a new back as a part of that. Benson led the Seminoles in rushing the past two seasons after transferring from Oregon.

Jonathon Brooks, RB, Texas

After sitting most of his first two seasons with the Longhorns, Brooks was a starter in 2023 before tearing his ACL and missing the last three games. He averaged 6.1 yards a carry and had 10 TDs before getting hurt.

Zach Frazier, C, West Virginia

Frazier became the first true freshman since 1980 to start on the Mountaineers’ offensive line. Four year later, the durable Frazier had accumulated 46 career starts and two first-team, All-Big 12 selections.

Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Texas

There’s a drop-off in the tight end group after Georgia’s Brock Bowers, although Sanders is an intriguing prospect because of his size and production. His 54 receptions in 2022 set a Texas record for a tight end.

Theo Johnson, TE, Penn State

Johnson (6-6, 259) only averaged 10 yards per reception as a senior, but was a red zone weapon with a team-leading seven TD catches for the Nittany Lions.

Edgerrin Cooper, LB, Texas A&M

Linebacker isn’t an immediate need for the Panthers. It wasn’t in 2015 either, but Dave Gettleman still took Shaq Thompson in the first round as a future successor to Thomas Davis. But as of Sunday, Thompson is now 30 and it’s probably wise to start thinking about drafting his replacement. Enter Cooper, who reportedly visited the Panthers after leading the Aggies in tackles, tackles for loss, sacks and forced fumbles. He’s the only player in this draft class who led his team in all those categories.

Payton Wilson, LB, N.C. State

Wilson was a highly productive player when healthy for the Wolfpack and has earned the approval of Luke Kuechly, who has spent some time with Wilson. But Wilson has a lengthy injury history that will scare off some teams and will be 24 when the draft starts.

Cooper DeJean, CB, Iowa

It feels like the Panthers haven’t had a dynamic, game-changing corner since Josh Norman. But DeJean, a member of The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks” list, both looks and plays the part. DeJean returned three of his seven interceptions with the Hawkeyes for touchdowns and was the Big Ten’s punt returner of the year in 2023. He’s coming off a broken leg that ended his season in November. And there’s a good chance he doesn’t make it to the second round.

Max Melton, CB, Rutgers

The 5-11, 187-pound Melton has explosive speed and a history of production, racking up eight interceptions and 30 pass breakups over his final three seasons at Rutgers. He also has a knack for making big plays on special teams: His three blocked punts in 2022 were the most in FBS.

Mike Sainristil, CB, Michigan

The Massachusetts native spent three seasons at wide receiver for the Wolverines before switching to defense, where he played mostly nickel but lined up at outside corner on 22.1 percent of his snaps. Sainristil, voted the team MVP on the nation’s top-ranked defense, finished third in FBS with six interceptions, including two he returned for touchdowns. He also had 12 pass breakups, looking very much like someone who can take the ball away.

T.J. Tampa, CB, Iowa State

It’s difficult to argue with Tampa’s size (6-1, 194) or athleticism. Georgia coach Kirby Smart reportedly made a late push for Tampa after seeing him in a seven-on-seven tournament, while Iowa State coaches initially recruited him as a receiver. And while he didn’t get his hands on many passes, he also didn’t concede much. According to Brugler, Tampa allowed one touchdown catch over his final 934 defensive snaps.

Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama

McKinstry practiced with the Crimson Tide’s basketball team for a few months after enrolling at Alabama in 2021 before sticking with football. Good choice. The polished cover corner led the SEC with 16 pass breakups as a sophomore and was an All-American as a junior. Brugler called McKinstry a “long, smooth athlete” with a high football IQ who reminds him of former Panthers CB James Bradberry.

Kamari Lassiter, CB, Georgia

Lassiter, once viewed as a first-round pick, saw his stock drop after a slow (4.64) 40 time at his pro day. Lassiter didn’t get his hands on many passes as an outside corner and some teams view him as a nickel-only, per Brugler. But he has good instincts and didn’t allow more than two catches in a game all of 2023.

Austin Booker, edge, Kansas

Booker played in only two games in two seasons at Minnesota before transferring to Kansas, where he was the Big 12 newcomer of the year after leading the Jayhawks in sacks (eight), tackles for loss (12) and forced fumbles (two).

Jonah Elliss, edge, Utah

Elliss (6-2, 248) struggles to set the edge against the run but has an array of pass-rush moves and an impressive football lineage. His dad played in the NFL for 10 years and his brother, Kaden, is coming off a 122-tackle season for the Atlanta Falcons. Elliss had 12 sacks in 10 games last year before sustaining a season-ending shoulder injury.

Marshawn Kneeland, edge, Western Michigan

Kneeland reportedly had pre-draft visits scheduled with half of the NFL’s 32 teams, including the Panthers. Evaluators like the 6-3 Kneeland’s length and explosiveness. He led Western Michigan with 4 1/2 sacks last season despite missing two games with an elbow injury.

Ruke Orhorhoro, DT, Clemson

The Panthers have never drafted a Clemson player. Could the Nigerian-born Orhorhoro be the first? The 6-4, 294-pounder has position flexibility up front and had nine sacks over his final two seasons with the Tigers.

Maason Smith, DT, LSU

Smith started only one year for the Tigers after tearing his ACL in the 2022 opener. Smith managed just 2 1/2 sacks and 4 1/2 tackles for loss last fall, but has a great frame (6-5, 300) and traits.

Day 3 prospects

Joe Milton, QB, Tennessee

The 24-year-old Milton spent a combined six years at Michigan and Tennessee, but only one season as a starter. But Milton has terrific size (6-5, 246) and speed, and arguably the strongest arm of any quarterback in this draft.

Devin Leary, QB, Kentucky

Panthers’ scouts are plenty familiar with Leary, who spent five years at N.C. State (playing behind a line that included Ikem Ekwonu and Chandler Zavala) before transferring to Kentucky. Leary’s accuracy dipped and his interceptions increased in the SEC. But he has a big-time arm and was one of only four Power 5 passers with at least eight completions of 50-plus yards in 2023.

Ben Sinnott, TE, Kansas State

A no-star recruit after playing six sports in high school, Sinnott walked on at Kansas State and became a two-time, All-Big 12 selection. He caught 49 passes last fall when he was the Wildcats’ leading receiver, and racked up 10 touchdowns over his final two seasons.

Luke McCaffrey, WR, Rice

The youngest McCaffrey brother isn’t quite as big as his dad Ed, nor as dynamic as Christian. But he did run a slightly faster combine 40 (4.46 seconds) than Christian, and had a nose for the end zone after transferring from Nebraska and making the switch from quarterback. McCaffrey totaled more than 1,100 scrimmage yards last year at Rice, where his 13 receiving touchdowns were tied for the sixth most among all FBS receivers.

Rasheen Ali, RB, Marshall

Ali was a dual-threat back at Marshall, where he racked up 1,735 scrimmage yards in 2021. Ali impressed at the Senior Bowl practices before sustaining an arm injury. Still, Senior Bowl executive director (and former NFL scout) Jim Nagy predicted Ali would be a Day 3 steal.

Tyrone Tracy, RB, Purdue

Tracy spent six seasons in college, including his first four at Iowa, and was a full-time running back for only one year. While he’s on the older side, Tracy has some unique traits and return experience, not unlike Panthers receiver/return specialist Ihmir Smith-Marsette.

Jase McClellan, RB, Alabama

Young’s Crimson Tide teammate waited behind Najee Harris, Brian Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs before finally getting his chance to start in 2023, when he notched just a pair of 100-yard rushing games while dealing with a foot injury.

Sedrick Van Pran-Granger, C, Georgia

The Louisiana native, whose family briefly relocated to Georgia after Hurricane Katrina, started every game for the Bulldogs over the past three seasons. As a senior, Van Pran was a team captain and the winner of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, given to the SEC’s top offensive lineman.

Charles Turner, C, LSU

Turner began his college career as a tackle and played with Damien Lewis, the Panthers’ recently acquired left guard, on LSU’s 2019 national championship team. A two-year starter, Turner allowed one sack and was penalized three times over 763 total snaps in 2023.

Josiah Ezirim, OT, Eastern Kentucky

The 6-6, 329-pound Ezirim has tremendous size but is still a bit raw with his technique after moving from defensive line midway through his college career. But he moves pretty well for his size, and looks like an NFL tackle with his athletic frame and long arms.

Cedric Johnson, edge, Ole Miss

Taking a late flier on a pass rusher, especially one with nice length who can play special teams, isn’t the worst idea. The 6-3, 260-pound Johnson averaged nearly five sacks over four seasons in Oxford. He also was the 2023 recipient of an award that goes to an Ole Miss defensive player who embodies courage, leadership and perseverance — good qualities for a Panthers’ team with a first-year coach trying to establish a winning culture.

Tyrice Knight, LB, UTEP

The Panthers lost their disruptor/defensive spark plug when linebacker Frankie Luvu signed with Washington. Knight had a similar playing style at UTEP, where he had the freedom to look for opportunities to burst into the backfield. Knight had a huge senior season, racking up 140 tackles (including 84 solo and 15 1/2 for loss), 4 1/2 sacks and seven pass breakups. The 6-1, 233-pounder didn’t miss a game over his final three seasons.

Jordan Jefferson, DT, LSU

The 6-3, 313-pound Jefferson pumped out 34 bench press reps at the combine, most among defensive linemen. The Panthers don’t have a glaring need at the position after signing A’Shawn Robinson and locking up Derrick Brown. But Ejiro Evero likes to rotate his interior linemen and Jefferson — who had 2 1/2 sacks and seven tackles for loss last season after transferring from West Virginia — would be a stout addition.

Khyree Jackson, CB, Oregon

Jackson (6-4, 194) has exceptional size for an outside corner, and still has room to develop after starting just 14 games in college. After transferring from Alabama before the 2023 season, Jackson led Oregon with three interceptions and 10 pass breakups and was a first-team, All-Pac 12 pick.

Beau Brade, S, Maryland

Brade won’t wow you with his size or speed. But he led the Terps in tackles the past two seasons, co-hosts a podcast with another Maryland defensive back and was a team captain in 2023 (see above note about locker-room culture). He also should help immediately on special teams.

Ryan Watts, DB, Texas

Watts’ uneven career began with two seasons as a backup at Ohio State, where he tied for the team lead with two interceptions in 2021. Watts (6-3, 213) started at corner for two years with the Longhorns, but didn’t get his hands on many passes and could move to safety in the NFL after testing well at the combine.

(Top photos of Adonai Mitchell, Theo Johnson, Xavier Legette: Kevin Sabitus, Joseph Weiser, Kevin Sabitus / Getty Images)