After trading up to go get receiver Xavier Legette on Thursday night, the Panthers kept wheeling-and-dealing on Friday.
Posted April 25, 2024 8:19 p.m. EDT
Updated April 26, 2024 11:43 p.m. EDT
By Clark Gerber, WRAL Sports Contributor
There’s always a lot going on at the NFL Draft. And since it’s a busy night elsewhere in the sports world, you might miss some of the best moments on the live broadcast.
Not to worry!
Below is a running diary of the Friday (and Thursday) highlights:
If you’re a linebacker, there are few better NFL destinations than Pittsburgh.
The Steelers have a long history of developing stars on defense, and Wilson could be the next one after being drafted 98th overall.
The NC State star won both the Bednarik and Butkus awards this past season as the best defensive player in the nation. He racked up an absurd 136 tackles in 2023, with 6 sacks, 3 interceptions and a touchdown.
So why did he fall to the end of the third round?
That answer is actually pretty simple. Wilson has a long injury history already and plays a non-premium position in off-ball linebacker.
That doesn’t mean he won’t be an impact player though. If he can stay healthy, expect him to contribute right away.
Carter was a 3-time captain for the Blue Devils, the first in program history. That alone tells you about the character and work ethic that he’s taking to Buffalo.
But he’s pretty good on the field too.
DeWayne Carter is a 3-time All-ACC honoree, having racked up 25 tackles for loss, 12 sacks, seven caused fumbles and four fumble recoveries in his decorated career.
Duke has sent some talented pass rushers (such as Victor Dimukeje and Chris Rumph II) to the NFL in recent years, but Carter is actually the first interior defensive lineman to be drafted out of Duke since 1978!
As a former linebacker himself, it’s no surprise Dan Morgan decided to bring in a player like Wallace this early.
The Kentucky product racked up 80 tackles for the Wildcats last season, with 5.5 sacks and 1 interception. He’s also good in coverage, having given up only one touchdown as the primary defender his entire college career.
At 6’1″, 237 lbs, Wallace has plenty of size that should help him adjust to the NFL level.
It would be a surprise to see him start this year, with Shaq Thompson returning from injury and free agent signee Josey Jewell already in place. But with his raw athleticism and talent, you could see Wallace make multiple impact plays as a rookie.
If you thought the Panthers were going to stand pat at No. 65 overall to open the third round, you don’t know Dan Morgan. This man is addicted to making trades, and committed to accumulating extra draft capital.
This time, Carolina dropped 7 slots to No. 72 overall, and picked up another 5th rounder for their troubles.
In such a deep draft at key positions, you have to be a fan of this gameplan from Morgan. A normal amount of picks isn’t going to get it done.
The Panthers have a multitude of holes to fill on their roster. The more tries to find an impact player, the better.
Stay tuned.
With Dan Morgan in charge, you never know when the Panthers might pick next.
Well we know this… Dan Morgan isn’t exactly a «sit and wait» type of GM.
Mere minutes after trading down to No.
