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According to the latest NFL mock draft, the Carolina Panthers are trading up to choose a speedy wide receiver who might open up the offense.

The Carolina Panthers’ mock draft season has not been particularly fascinating, considering the team does not have a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, they have two second-round picks and could easily package one of them in a deal if the appropriate prospect becomes available. While Carolina isn’t quite ready to contend in the Super Bowl, they did an excellent job of filling their requirements in free agency. The team added Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis to the offensive line, Diontae Johnson as a reliable receiver, and Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum to replace Brian Burns.

While this roster is far from flawless, there are no obvious gaps that must be filled with the first pick in the Panthers mock draft. So, with that in mind, Carolina may choose anybody they want while they’re on the clock. Fortunately, quality and need may coincide in this stacked wide receiver class. Diontae Johnson and Adam Thielen are decent players, but neither is a long-term option, and neither has game-changing speed. According to NFL expert Eric Edholm’s newest mock draft, Carolina will trade up to pick Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy.

Carolina Panthers Select Xavier Worthy In Latest Mock Draft

Xavier Worthy the Player

Xavier Worthy have the physical traits to be a dangerous player in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Texas graduate established the NFL record for the fastest 40-yard dash, and his pace translates to the field. The wide receiver easily outruns defensive backs and is a danger to score every time he touches the football.

Running fast in a straight line does not make you a can’t-miss prospect. After all, John Ross held the record before Xavier Worthy and his career didn’t go too well. However, the Panthers get more than just a fast athlete in this mock draft. While speed is his calling card, he’s also a solid route runner who can create separation with quick breaks and lateral agility.

Of course, there is a reason why Xavier Worthy is still available as the Panthers consider trading up in the NFL Draft. The Texas product is noticeably small for the position, indicating that he is not the type of player capable of winning in disputed circumstances. Furthermore, he drops more passes than you’d want, which is never a good sign. Still, no prospect is without warts, and Xavier Worthy deserves to be taken late in the first round. The only remaining question is whether he is a good fit for the Panthers.

Does This Panthers Mock Draft Make Sense?

According to this mock draft, the Panthers would trade a second- and fourth-round pick with the Detroit Lions to choose Xavier Worthy with the 29th overall pick. Drafttek’s value chart shows that the 33rd and 101st overall picks are worth a total of 676 points, while the 29th overall pick is valued at 640 points. The Panthers are losing some value here, but it is far within the margin of error for an exercise like this.

As for Xavier Worthy, the wide receiver could be an excellent draft pick for the Panthers. Bryce Young was an excellent deep passer at Alabama, but as a rookie, he was one of the least efficient. Now that he has a guy capable of getting open deep, he should resemble his collegiate self.

Edholm’s mock draft shows five receivers going off the board before Worthy. The Panthers may not be able to wait for the best wide receiver to fall to the 33rd-overall pick, as the Chiefs are expected to take a wide receiver following the Rashee Rice accident.