Thoughts on Panthers’ 2024 draft class following rookie season: Legette needs to rebound
The Carolina Panthers’ 2024 draft class got off to a strong start under head coach Dave Canales last season. But following some late-season injuries, the future remains unclear for a few of the notable members of the class.
General manager Dan Morgan is hoping high picks like wideout Xavier Legette, running back Jonathon Brooks and linebacker Trevin Wallace can bounce back from their injury woes and become long-term contributors for the franchise.
Here are thoughts on each of the Panthers’ draft picks heading into their second offseason:
WR Xavier Legette
The Panthers traded up from the first pick of the second round (No. 33) to the last pick of the first round (No. 32) to land Legette. Selecting Legette in the first round gave the Panthers a fifth-year option on his contract, so the team could cost control him for an extra year if he lived up to or exceeded their expectations.
Early in the season, Legette thrived as a red-zone weapon, hauling in four touchdowns in his first nine games. He made some impressive jump-ball plays and showed the ability to create separation with his athleticism.
However, after taking a massive hit from Philadelphia Eagles safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson in Week 14, Legette’s production fell off mightily. He struggled with drops and miscommunication with quarterback Bryce Young down the stretch, collecting just 10 catches for 65 yards in his final three games.
Legette had dealt with a nagging wrist injury throughout part of the year, and the wideout later admitted that he might need surgery in the offseason. He also sustained a groin injury that hindered his production during the final month of the season.
Legette has plenty of upside as a big-bodied weapon who can making leaping catches down the field. While he’s probably better suited to be a No. 2 passing option, Legette has the ability to make an impact in Carolina. He needs to bounce back from injury in 2025.
RB Jonathon Brooks
Brooks’ rookie season will be remembered as a disappointment.
The Panthers drafted him with the 46th overall pick in the second round in hopes of getting him into the lineup by July, but the rookie had a setback in his ACL rehab and didn’t return to the field until Week 12 after the bye. He lasted in the lineup for just three games before re-tearing the same ACL in his right knee in Philadelphia.
Brooks finished with nine carries for 22 yards and three catches for 23 yards in limited action.
Luckily for the Panthers, the team locked up Chuba Hubbard on a long-term deal to secure the top of the depth chart. Miles Sanders, who dealt with his own injury issues in 2024, could be retained — most likely on a pay cut — if the Panthers feel like he can contribute with Brooks sidelined well into the 2025 season.
Brooks’ rehab will be worth monitoring as there is no guarantee he plays in his second NFL season.
LB Trevin Wallace
Wallace had a terrific training camp that helped him shine with the second-team defense throughout the summer. But he started the season on the special teams unit without much work on defense.
However, Shaq Thompson — the team’s longtime starting linebacker — went down in the first month of the campaign, and Wallace was promoted to one of the top two inside linebacker jobs. Wallace had to deal with a constant churn around him at the inside linebacker position, as well as the entire defense.
Wallace, who led the team with two forced fumbles, had an up-and-down stint as a starter before going down with a shoulder injury in Week 14.
Wallace plays the game without fear. He is a terrific athlete, but he needs to probably improve his technique in Year 2. He will likely be a starter next to Josey Jewell in 2025.
TE Ja’Tavion Sanders
Sanders, the team’s fourth-round pick, got off to a solid start after injuries decimated the tight end room early in the season. Sanders was relied on regularly as a passing option, and he clearly found chemistry with Young and Andy Dalton as the season went on.
Sanders had a big injury scare in Week 12 after falling on his neck following a tackle. He ended up only missing one game, but his role in the offense diminished from a targeting standpoint. During the team’s finale win against the Atlanta Falcons, however, Sanders was able to recapture his playmaking role and finished with 342 receiving yards on the season, the most by a Panthers rookie tight end in franchise history.
Sanders came to Carolina with notable draft hype from media analysts, and he largely lived up to the expectations of being a raw, pass-catching tight end with high upside. With Tommy Tremble, Ian Thomas and Feleipe Franks headed for free agency, Sanders should continue to have a big role in 2025.
CB Chau Smith-Wade
Smith-Wade played the nickel position for the Panthers as a rookie. After spending his entire college career on the outside, Smith-Wade moved inside to the slot spot and had some really positive moments. He had an unforgettable interception against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he made some solid plays against the run as well.
Smith-Wade, like most of this class, is a work-in-progress prospect. The Panthers are set to rework most of their defensive lineup, and Smith-Wade could be a cheap option at nickel spot in 2025. It’s fair to expect him to compete for the job, at worst, in training camp.
DE Jaden Crumedy
Crumedy spent the first half of the season sidelined on injured reserve. He was then a healthy scratch for several weeks. But, eventually, Crumedy made his way into the lineup due to teammates’ injuries.
Crumedy got limited snaps as a rookie rotational player, but he made the most of those reps. After coming into the lineup without expectations, he made a positive impression with solid moments down the stretch. He should compete for a job in training camp.
Panthers’ 2024 undrafted rookies
Here are thoughts on the Panthers’ three original undrafted rookies who have carved out roles on the 53-man roster after spending the entire year with the team:
WR Jalen Coker
After starting the season on the practice squad, Coker emerged on the 53-man roster as Adam Thielen dealt with a hamstring injury. Coker got off to a hot start and ended up as the team’s third-leading receiver as a rookie.
He arguably outplayed Legette during the second half of the season, despite dealing with a quad injury.
Coker’s future looks bright. While he might not be a starter next season, he clearly has staying power as a slot weapon for Young. Look for Coker to gain a steady role in training camp and grow off his work as a rookie.
He finished the season with 32 catches for 478 yards and two touchdowns. Those numbers should receive a boost in Year 2.
S Demani Richardson
Like Coker, Richardson began the season on the practice squad. But as injuries beat down the safety depth chart, Richardson emerged as a worthwhile contributor. He started two games in the middle of the season and held his own before being succeeded by a returning Jordan Fuller.
But Fuller eventually got benched, and Richardson started down the stretch, proving his ability to make plays.
With the four veteran safeties on the roster all set for free agency, Richardson has a shot at returning as an inexpensive, second-year starter for the franchise. Richardson has excellent ball skills and was surprisingly one of the better tacklers in the secondary last season.
QB Jack Plummer
Plummer had an up-and-down summer, but he fought through that inconsistency and finished the preseason strong. He was eventually stashed on the practice squad and learned behind Young and Andy Dalton.
In Week 17, he was elevated to the main roster to protect him being poached off the practice squad by another team. He finished the campaign as the emergency third QB, which was a leg up from his practice-squad role.
Plummer has good size and a strong arm, and he could carve out a long-term stay with the Panthers if he continues to progress as a backup.
