When a team finishes with the worst record in the league, the perfect prospect is normally ripe for the picking atop the draft board. But that’s not exactly the case for the NFL-worst Carolina Panthers, who will have to do a bit more digging for their guy this offseason.
Pro Football Focus draft analyst Trevor Sikkema recently paired each team with their perfect prospect from the upcoming 2024 class. And for the Panthers, whose very first pick will come at the start of the second round, he opts for Ohio State University wide receiver Emeka Egbuka:
The Panthers just need someone – anyone – who can be a reliable target in the receiving game. Egbuka could be available to pick at the top of the second round. He can play a variety of positions as a receiver (X, flanker, slot) and could be the perfect high-volume rookie receiver for them to jump-start that passing attack.
Carolina, of course, traded to the top of the 2023 draft and ultimately selected University of Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. Part of that move saw the Panthers hand the Chicago Bears their 2024 first-rounder—which ended up being this year’s No. 1 overall pick.
But now, the Panthers need some help for last year’s first pick—and Egbuka would certainly qualify. The 6-foot-1, 203-pounder recorded 1,666 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns over the past two seasons for the Buckeyes, proving to be one of college football’s most polished pass catchers.
