Carolina Panthers 7-Round Mock Draft: Trading Back for an Extra Pick

A full projection of Panthers' picks.

It's officially mock draft season here at All Panthers on FanNation/SI. Each week leading up to the 2024 NFL Draft, we will release a new full, seven-round Carolina Panthers mock.

RD 2, Pick 33: WR Xavier Legette, South Carolina

It’s almost to the point where it would be surprising if the Panthers came out of this draft without Xavier Legette. He’s high up on Carolina’s board and for good reason. Putting him alongside Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen would give Bryce Young a more respectatble receiver room to work with.

RD 2, Pick 49: C Zach Frazier, West Virginia

TRADE: Sent No. 39 to CIN for No. 49, No. 80.

For the first time this mock draft season, we’ve made a trade. For some reason, it seems like the top two centers are sliding just a little bit so I can see Frazier still being available here at 49. I moved back ten spots, picked up an extra third round pick, and still landed with Frazier.

RD 3, Pick 65: TE Ben Sinnott, Kansas State

I might be a little late to the party, but I’m becoming a big advocate of the former Kansas State tight end, Ben Sinnott. He’s played both fullback and tight end, proving that he’s willing and able to take on blocks in addition to being a weapon over the middle of the field. Honestly, I believe Sinnott has a higher ceiling than Ja’Tavion Sanders (Texas).

RD 3, Pick 80: EDGE Marshawn Kneeland, Western Michigan

The Panthers need some pass rush help and with the pick I scooped up from the Bengals, I go after Kneeland - a prospect that has visited Carolina. Over his four years at WMU, Kneeland racked up 149 tackles, 28 tackles for loss, and 12.5 sacks. Rock solid production, but there’s a lot more in there. His best football is ahead of him.

RD 4, Pick 101: DT Maason Smith, LSU

For the second straight week, we’re taking Maason Smith to add to the beef up front. He’s a near-perfect fit who can be a rotational player early on behind A’Shawn Robinson.

RD 5, Pick 141: RB Audric Estime, Notre Dame

A new name here, but one Panthers fans have discussed on social media before. Estime offers a level of physicality that does not currently exist in the Panthers’ running back room. Aside from being the short-yardage back, he can come in for obvious passing situations to help in blitz pickup.

RD 5, Pick 142: CB Chau Smith-Wade, Washington State

This is a very scheme-specific pick here, mainly because I see Smith-Wade exclusively as a nickel. Troy Hill can fill that starting role for another year, maybe two but he’s nearing the end of his playing career and it would be nice to have his replacement already on the roster. He does need to be a little more active around the football as he totaled just 17 passes defended and three interceptions at the collegiate level.

RD 7, Pick 240: EDGE Nelson Ceaser, Houston

You can never have enough pass rushers, right? Instead of double-dipping at receiver, we’ll do so at the edge spot. As I mentioned in my mock last week, Ceaser reminds me an awful lot of Marquis Haynes Sr. - a situational pass rusher with potential to grow into a starter down the line.