The Panthers obtained their first-round pick by trading up to select Xavier Legette, a move that has drawn praise from at least one analyst for being one of the standout selections on the draft’s opening day. Field Yates, an NFL Draft analyst for ESPN, highlighted the best picks and steals of the draft after carefully evaluating all 257 selections across seven rounds. Despite a deep pool of top wide receivers, Legette, projected as an early second-round pick, was the seventh receiver taken, showcasing desirable size at 6-3, 227 pounds. Yates emphasized that his selections were based on factors like value, fit, and what the player brings to the team rather than just talent.
The other people Yates mentioned were:
Bears: WR Washington, Rome Odunze
Colts: Edge (UCLA), Laiatu Latu
Quinyon Mitchell, CB (Toledo), Eagles
Bucs: Duke Graham Barton, C.
The offence and the support the Panthers were providing the No. 1 overall choice in the NFL Draft last year, Bryce Young, weren’t finished. Jonathan Brooks, a former Texas Longhorn running back, was chosen by Carolina in the second round. Despite having recently undergone ACL surgery, Brooks’ physician thinks he will be ready for training camp. The first running back off the board was Brooks as well.
Regarding Brooks, new Panthers coach Dave Canales told reporters, “He’s a bigger back, he’s got range.” “His versatility is quite impressive; it’s likely the most notable quality that sets him apart.”The Panthers then selected Ja’Tavion Sanders, a tight end who was Brooks’ Texas teammate, in the fourth round.
Canales described Sanders as a “guy that can do a lot of different things.” “He’s made some impressive plays with the ball in his hand, and his strength at the catch is undoubtedly one of his best traits. The contested catch is definitely what we saw most of in him. He truly attacks the ball, and he has enormous hands.
It’s difficult for tight ends to truly get that separation from man to man in this league anymore. With the exception of a few guys, most of them move at about the same pace. Therefore, the challenged catch will be covered.
