Panthers land long-sought wide receiver in final 2024 NFL mock draft

The Panthers' interest in the 6-foot-3 wide receiver has long been known. 

Recently, it was reported that Legette told him the Panthers would select him if he were available at pick No. 33. Most draft projections have him being a day two option, placing him right in the Panthers' wheelhouse. 

With wide receiver being a pressing need for the Panthers, Legette would be a no-brainer selection for Dan Morgan on Friday. 

Round 2, No. 39 (from New York Giants): TE Ja'Tavion Sanders, Texas

The Panthers tight end room is in desperate need of an upgrade and Ja'Tavion Sanders, out of the University of Texas, would be exactly that player. 

Sanders is a former five-star recruit who boasts out-of-this-world athleticism. His hands are reliable and he is a threat to be a mismatch in nearly every scenario at the NFL level. 

His only downside is that, in college, he was on a team that didn't allow him to use the full extent of his abilities. For Carolina, he would answer every tough tight-end question the Panthers currently have. 

Round 3, No. 65: Edge Jonah Elliss, Utah

Upgrading the pass rush is a must after the Panthers sent Brian Burns, the Pro Bowl-caliber outside linebacker, to the New York Giants. Edge Jonah Elliss could be a third-round answer. 

Elliss is a versatile player with several moves he can use in pass-rush situations. He has a good first step and his game can transition to the NFL level. 

Round 4, No. 101: C Sedrick Van Pran, Georgia

No one knows better than Young how badly the Panthers need to upgrade the center position on the roster. Sedrick Van Pran can be that upgrade in the fourth round. 

He has been a long-time starter at the center position in college. He fits into an NFL scheme well and his physicality looks as though it would translate to the next level. 

Round 5, No. 141 (from New York Giants): Edge Cedric Johnson, Ole Miss

There is a saying in the NFL: A team can never have too much pass-rushing help. That is what the Panthers are going for with the franchise's No. 141 selection. 

Cedric Johnson may not be a difference-maker immediately in the NFL, but he is an intriguing Day 3 pick because of his length (6-3, 260), athleticism and upside. 

Raw athletic ability always leaves room for tutelage at the NFL level. 

Round 5, No. 142 (from Tennessee): WR Cornelius Johnson, Michigan

The name of the game is more wide receiver talent. Late in the draft, taking a flyer on a pass-catcher couldn't hurt. 

Cornelius Johnson looks like a player who could be a high-floor, low-ceiling draft prospect. He played 60 games with 44 starts at Michigan. He boasts experience that could help the wide receiver room immediately. 

Johnson seems to have more in the tank talent-wise and the sky is the limit for the late-round pick. 

Round 7, No. 240 (from Pittsburgh): DB Ryan Watts, Texas

The secondary needs work for the Panthers. Carolina may very well select a defensive back earlier in the draft. However, in this simulation, Carolina approaches the defensive back situation in the seventh round with Texas product Ryan Watts.