Cat Scratch Reader
The NFL Draft presents the Carolina Panthers with the perfect chance to surround their young quarterback with even more talent.
Despite finishing out the season strong in a 44-point victory versus the Atlanta Falcons, the Carolina Panthers offense has a few roster issues that need to be resolved in order to take the next step in 2025.
The NFL Combine is just days away and that means the Panthers coalition will arrive in Indianapolis with the rest of the NFL’s top evaluators to watch this years crop of draft eligible prospects show off their skills. The Panthers, armed with a strong amount of draft capital, likely will reserve a few of those picks for the offensive side of the ball to fill some voids remaining after year one of the Dan Morgan and Dave Canales era.
Let’s take a look at what some of those remain issues are, and which prospects might be available during each day of the draft to remedy them.
The Panthers finished 32nd in the NFL in yards after catch. It’s hard to thrive that way as an offense as it makes much harder than it should be to generate explosive plays. Offense becomes easier if you can get a screen, slant or drag to an playmaker and let them go to work every once in a while.
Day One: Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri
Built like a running back at 5’11 and 210lbs, Burden is the top YAC threat in this draft class without question. In 2024, he showed off tremendous physicality and contact balance to led the receivers with 30 missed tackles forced - a mark that led the FBS. Burden frequently draws draft comparisons to Deebo Samuel and former Panthers turned Chicago Bears receiver D.J. Moore.
Day Two: Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State
Similar to Burden, Royals checks in at 5’11 and 210lbs and has explosive play potential every time he touches the football. Over the last two seasons, Royals had 10 catches of 50-plus yards, the most in the FBS. He’ll be available on Day 2 because his game will need to develop a lot more nuance to be a full-time player in the NFL, but his early contributions as a YAC threat could serve the Panthers well.
Day Three: Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State
Williams reported measurables are 6’0 and 185lbs, so on paper he is smaller than the previous two players. However, Williams does not lack for skills with the ball in his hands. In 2024, William’s 8.4 YAC per reception was 15th in the FBS while his 21 missed tackles forced ranked 18th.
Currently, the Panthers do not have a player listed at center on the roster. A prudent course of action would be to sign one in free agency and draft another to develop behind them.
Day One: Grey Zabel, OL, North Dakota State
The 6’5, 316lb lineman actually played left tackle...
