The 33rd overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft could mean a lot for the Carolina Panthers, who don’t own a first-rounder this year. But it could mean a whole lot more for another organization.
President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan is in a pretty powerful position on the board. He and his front office are the gatekeepers for Day 2 of the draft, meaning they could eventually hold the key to the future for a quarterback-needy team.
And being that the rebuilding Panthers would certainly benefit from acquiring additional capital, we could very well see that No. 33 selection go elsewhere come next Friday.
So, let’s take a look at four potential trade-down partners for Carolina’s first pick:
Las Vegas Raiders
Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
2024 first-round position: No. 13
The Raiders are between a rock and a hard place, with the rock being their current quarterback room and the hard place being the 13th overall slot.
Do they really want to go into the season with Gardner Minshew or Aidan O’Connell as their starter? If they don’t, the spot that they’re in is too far from the draft’s top four passers and perhaps way too soon for the next few in line.
Las Vegas could practice some patience and hope at least one of Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix is there at the start of Day 2.
Potential trade
Carolina gets: No. 44, No. 77
Las Vegas gets: No. 33
New York Giants
The Record
2024 first-round position: No. 6
New York is in a similar situation.
For starters (literally), Daniel Jones might’ve already worn out his welcome just one season into his four-year, $160 million extension. Plus, even with the sixth overall pick, they’re vulnerable to get jumped by the Minnesota Vikings—who could use the 11th and 23rd selections to squeeze into the fourth or fifth spot in the queue.
The Giants and Panthers did some business before, so why not again?
Potential trade
Carolina gets: No. 47, No. 70
New York gets: No. 33
Los Angeles Rams
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2024 first-round position: No. 19
As 36-year-old Matthew Stafford enters his 16th pro campaign, the Rams may want to secure a successor now—especially with a weak quarterback class ahead in 2025.
For this deal to go down, the Panthers would have to be content with dropping into the 50’s. But having the 39th overall pick in their possession could make that drop, which may also come with a pair of third-rounders, an easier one to make.
Potential trade
Carolina gets: No. 52, No. 83, 2025 third-round pick
Los Angeles gets: No. 33
Denver Broncos
Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
2024 first-round position: No. 12
Broncos head coach Sean Payton probably doesn’t feel like playing the waiting game. And again, there may not be much to wait for in next year’s draft anyway.
The organization’s trade for Payton, ironically enough, sent their 2024 second-rounder to New Orleans—a piece of capital they could’ve used to move up for a quarterback. But if they’re desperate enough, the ponies could be willing to part with next year’s first-rounder to find an answer under center.
Potential trade
Carolina gets: 2025 first-round pick
Denver gets: No. 33
