Analyst predicts Panthers will trade into first round of NFL Draft for WR

The Panthers are without their first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after trading for the first overall pick in last year's draft, which they used on QB Bryce Young. 

However, CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso thinks Carolina could find itself back in Round 1 before it's all said and done on April 25.

In his latest mock draft, he predicts the Panthers will make a trade with the Buffalo Bills for pick No. 28, and then use it to select Texas wide receiver Xavier Worthy.

"The Panthers can't resist adding someone with Xavier Worthy's speed to the offense," Trapasso writes. "They send No. 33 overall and No. 101 to Buffalo for this selection and a seventh-round pick (No. 248)."

Worthy is the definition of speed after running the fastest 40-yard dash (4.21 seconds) in NFL Scouting Combine history, but he is more than just a speedster. 

Over the past three seasons, he led the Big 12 in receiving yards (2,755) and touchdowns (26).

There is an argument that Carolina shouldn't give up any more draft capital since it has several other needs to address and only seven total selections. However, at the same time, it's difficult to pass up on a playmaker with Worthy's upside and the team would still have another second-round pick (No. 39) via the Giants.

The Panthers already traded for Steelers wide receiver Diontae Johnson this offseason, but continuing to build around Young to set him up for success in 2024 feels like a must.

Young underwhelmed in his rookie year, throwing just 11 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. With Johnson, Worthy and even Adam Thielen, who will be 34 by the start of the season, the former No. 1 overall pick will have less excuses to continue struggling in 2024.

Carolina could still opt to add to its wide receiver room in free agency, but the options available on the open market aren't ideal, which is why many, like Trapasso, think a trade-up into the first round makes a lot of sense.