NFL Draft 2024: Why Carolina Panthers Do Not Have a 1st Round Pick?

The first-round picks are considered the most valuable and significant picks in the NFL Draft. With teams entering the NFL Draft season, they all wish to trade the top prospects of that time. This year, the opportunity of the first-round pick is given to the Chicago Bears.

The NFL Draft is scheduled for April 25-27 in Detroit, Michigan. Surprisingly and methodically, the Carolina Panthers were about to take the first pick, but now it would be shipped to the Bears because of some reasons. What are they?

Reasons why the Bears have the 1st round and not the Carolina Panthers!

The tentative order of the first round was announced on March 8, 2024. The Bears secured the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft after the Panthers’ 26-0 loss to the Jaguars, securing the worst record of the season. Many reportedly claim it’s the result of last year’s Scott-Fitterer-sinking trade with Chicago. This pick was acquired through a trade, where the Bears sent the 2023 first overall pick to the Panthers in exchange for DJ Moore, 2023 first and second round picks, a 2024-first round choice, and a 2025 second-round pick.

The Panthers’ struggles this season have validated the Bears’ strategy, giving them a prime opportunity to rebuild with a top draft selection. Building on their draft strategy, the Bears utilized the second-round pick acquired from the Panthers to move up five spots. With this move, they selected CB Tyrique Stevenson, further reinforcing their team’s defensive capabilities.

So now, the Panthers are left with: “Second round: 33rd overall (own); Third round: 65th overall (own); Fourth round: 100th overall (own); Fifth round: 141st overall (via Tennessee Titans); Fifth round: 165th overall (via San Francisco 49ers); and Sixth round: 177th overall (via Arizona Cardinals).” But what will the Panthers do now that they don’t have the 1st pick?

New Panthers GM isn’t bothered with the first-round pick loss?

New Panthers GM Dan Morgan, with limited resources, deems it imprudent to make a hasty move just for the sake of securing a first-round pick. During his introductory press conference, Morgan emphasized that trading up is not a high priority. He expressed, “We have the 33rd pick, which is essentially a late first-round pick.”

He continued, “We’re just going to draft good players, and hopefully at 33, I think there will be a good player there. If we choose to move back, if we choose to move up, that’s to be seen. But we’re going to plan. We’re going to have a plan. We’re going to execute on that plan.”

As per the latest reports, the Panthers are eyeing for top three targets for now: Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, and Rome Odunze, in the market.

Read more: “Derek Carr will follow”: Struggling Panthers Hire Ex-Colts Coach While Flying Eagles Fire Coach Of The Year