dan morgan – Syndication Server

Panthers GM Dan Morgan asked if he’s open to trading Miles Sanders

Is there still room for Miles Sanders after Friday’s selection of Texas RB Jonathon Brooks? Panthers GM Dan Morgan was asked if he’d trade the vet.

Has the running back room inside Bank of America Stadium grown too crowded for Miles Sanders? One very important decision-maker doesn’t seem to believe so.

President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan spoke with reporters on Saturday evening, after closing the book on the first draft in his new role. Among the prospects he selected was University of Texas rusher Jonathon Brooks, who was taken in the second round with the 46th overall pick.

So with such a considerable investment in Brooks, will the Panthers end up phasing out Sanders? Morgan was asked if he’d be open to trading the soon-to-be sixth-year veteran.

“I think it’s just more . . . we’re always gonna be, if you wanna say, in on every deal,” he replied. “We’re always gonna keep our ear to the pavement and just kinda be open to everything.

“In terms of Miles, we love Miles. We see a big role for him. I think Dave [Canales] will tell you the same thing—we think really highly of Miles, we love Miles. He can do a lot for our offense. He’s versatile in the pass game and he’s a really good runner. So we’re excited about him as well.”

Sanders, who signed a four-year $25.4 million deal with the Panthers in free agency last spring, is fresh off the worst campaign of his NFL career. He hit lows in starts (five), attempts (129) and rushing yards (432) while averaging 3.3 yards per carry—the third-lowest in the NFL amongst all qualifying players.

Carolina’s backfield also carries Chuba Hubbard, who rushed for a career-high 902 yards in 2023.

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Panthers will ‘continue to talk’ with free-agent CB Stephon Gilmore

Panthers GM Dan Morgan still isn’t ruling out a return for CB Stephon Gilmore.

Like the players he drafted this weekend, Carolina Panthers president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan will remain versatile.

During his post-draft press conference on Saturday evening, Morgan was asked if the team remains interested in signing free-agent cornerback Stephon Gilmore. While he didn’t shoot that possibility down, he started by expressing his excitement over the corner they did just grab—fifth-round pick Chau Smith-Wade.

“First off, we’re really excited about Chau,” he replied. “He can play inside, he can play outside. So we liked his versatility. He’s good on special teams. I think he’s a guy that can really contribute and make us better. I think, obviously, at every position, we’re gonna look to improve—not just the corner position.

“But again, we’re gonna try to create depth and competition everywhere. And as far as Stephon, we’re not gonna close the door on anything and we’ll continue to talk and explore and see where that goes.”

Even with Smith-Wade in the fold, the Panthers are projected to start Jaycee Horn and Dane Jackson in the secondary. And between Horn’s extensive injury history and Jackson’s relative inexperience as a starter, Gilmore—even at 33 years old—may still be a very wise addition to the defense.

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Panthers GM Dan Morgan explains why he didn’t select a center from 2024 draft

Panthers GM Dan Morgan obviously feels pretty good about Austin Corbett’s transition to center.

Dan Morgan made seven selections in his very first draft as the Carolina Panthers general manager. None, however, came at the center position.

Why?

After wrapping up their picks on Saturday, Morgan and head coach Dave Canales took some questions from reporters—with the first concerning the lack of a new center.

“We feel really good about Austin Corbett there at center,” he replied. “I think he’s progressing well and I think Dave would say the same thing to you guys. I think him, along with Brady Christensen—he’s been getting some snaps at center. We feel like he has a lot of potential there as well. So we feel good about it, but we’re always gonna be looking to challenge our roster and get better and create that competition.”

Both Corbett and Christensen have been pushed out of the starting guard spots following the team’s pricey free-agent additions of Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt. But, as Morgan has stated, the plan is to convert Corbett to center—a position he has never taken a regular-season snap from.

Nonetheless, Corbett has said that he also feels good about the transition.

“Everywhere I’ve been, everybody on the line will tell you I talk too much as a guard,” he said on Wednesday. “So it’s natural just to kick me in there now and have control anyway. It was inevitable at some point in my career. Every offensive line coach told me, ‘You’re gonna play center at one point. This is what you’re made to do.’ And here in 2024, it’s finally happening.”

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Panthers GM Dan Morgan asked if Trevin Wallace is Shaq Thompson’s successor

Was the Panthers’ selection of LB Trevin Wallace a succession plan for 30-year-old Shaq Thompson?

Carolina Panthers president of football operations/general manager Dan Morgan may know a thing or two about being a linebacker—seeing as though he was one. So Friday’s selection of Trevin Wallace will surely be one to keep an eye on.

Morgan and head coach Dave Canales spoke to reporters following their second day of action in the 2024 NFL draft. He was asked if the choice of Wallace, a promising youngster at the linebacker position, is the start of a succession plan to veteran Shaq Thompson.

“I don’t know if it’s like Shaq’s successor,” Morgan replied. “Shaq’s played at a high level for a long time. Obviously, we think a lot of Shaq, we think a lot of Josey [Jewell]. We’re really excited about those guys.”

Thompson, who turned 30 years old last week, will be entering his 10th NFL campaign in 2024. He’ll also be entering the final year of his contract, which could mean the end of his long tenure in Carolina.

If that’s ultimately the case, the Panthers may have a potential replacement with the 72nd overall pick in Wallace. But for now, Morgan is hoping the 21-year-old just finds his place as a pro.

“I just want Trevin to come in here—and I think Dave would say the same thing—come in here, learn, compete, earn the respect of these veterans out there. I think that’s the main thing just coming in as a rookie—just growing, getting behind the right veteran leadership, just kinda find his way.”

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Panthers GM Dan Morgan on picking up Jaycee Horn’s 5th-year option: ‘He deserved it’

Panthers GM Dan Morgan explained why CB Jaycee Horn, who has played in 22 of a possible 51 games in his NFL career, deserved his fifth-year option.

How did the Carolina Panthers, in the midst of Day 2 of the 2024 NFL draft, find time to pick up Jaycee Horn’s fifth-year option? According to president of football operations/general manager Dan Morgan, they did so because Horn earned it.

After concluding his ventures through the second and third rounds on Friday evening, Morgan spoke with reporters and was asked about exercising the extra year for their No. 1 cornerback.

“You see Jaycee around here—the work he’s putting in, the dedication, just being here every single day, busting his ass,” Morgan stated. “He deserved it. I think, obviously, he’s had some tough stretches with injuries. But it’s not due to a lack of work or a lack of commitment from Jaycee. So we’re excited about him, we’re excited about his future and just really excited for him.”

Numerous injuries—including a broken foot in 2021, a broken wrist in 2022 and a hamstring strain in 2023—have derailed the early portion of Horn’s NFL career. In his first three pro seasons, the former eighth overall pick has played in just 22 of a possible 51 games for Carolina.

But when he’s on the field, there’s no denying how special of a defender he is—hence the team’s $12.4 million investment in him for the 2025 campaign.

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Dan Morgan, Dave Canales explain Jonathon Brooks’ place in Panthers RB room

Dan Morgan and Dave Canales spoke a bit about second-round pick Jonathon Brooks.

The running back room inside of Bank of America Stadium just got a little more crowded.

On Friday night, the Carolina Panthers nabbed who they believe is the top rusher in the 2024 draft class—selecting University of Texas standout Jonathon Brooks with the 46th overall pick. But with Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders already in tow, president of football operations/general manager Dan Morgan was asked how Brooks can fit in.

“We got a really good running back room right now,” Morgan said in his post-Day 2 presser. “When Dave [Canales] and I took this job, we said that we were gonna create competition in every position group, and it just so happened Jonathon was there and we took the opportunity to draft him and it’s gonna be a really competitive group and I’m excited to see them all compete during training camp and OTAs. It’s gonna be fun.”

If not for the ACL tear he sustained this past November, Brooks would’ve likely been off the board well before that 46th pick. Prior to the season-ending injury, the agile dual threat back rushed for 1,139 yards and 10 touchdowns with 25 receptions and 286 receiving yards over 11 games.

Head coach Dave Canales was then asked why he believes Brooks was the right choice for their offense.

“Versatility—first and foremost,” he replied. “Our system calls for a back that can be used, of course, just in a traditional way—hand it to him. Then how can we get this player in space? Being able to get him in perimeter screens, checkdowns. We got a really cool empty package where we use the backs, flex them out to get matchups—things like that.

“He’s a bigger back, he’s got range. There’s so much that he brings from a versatility standpoint—that’s probably the biggest thing that stood out. And just vision, patience, contact balance, acceleration. Like, he’s got it all. He’s the best back in this class and we’re so fired up just to be able to bring him in and create that competition that Dan talked about.”

Morgan also stated that he expects Brooks to be ready for training camp.

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Panthers GM Dan Morgan: ‘We’ll probably get some calls’ on trading Pick No. 39

Panthers GM Dan Morgan is anticipating some outside interest for the 39th overall pick.

The Carolina Panthers went up and got their guy in a somewhat surprising move on Thursday night. But their work this weekend is far from done.

After striking a deal with the Buffalo Bills to secure wide receiver Xavier Legette at the 32nd overall pick of the 2024 NFL draft, president of football operations/general manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales hit the microphones for a little post-round presser. Morgan would be asked if he was getting any trade calls on the 33rd selection before shipping it off.

“Yeah, definitely getting some teams sniffing around, just kinda wondering what we’re thinking—33 and 39 we were getting some calls,” he replied. “I’d venture to say that we’ll probably get some calls on 39 tomorrow.”

As expected, one side of the ball dominated the board last night. The first 14 picks of the round were all offensive players, a new record for the NFL draft.

And while that inspired the Panthers to bag Legette a spot earlier, the development also left them with plenty of intriguing prospects to choose from on Friday.

“I think there’s a lot of players we still like on the board,” Morgan added. “Obviously, that’s a really good thing—to be able to keep Pick 39 and still have 65, 101 and then the two fives and our seven. So, I think we’re set up pretty good for the rest of the draft and I’m excited to kinda see who’s gonna be there and who we’re gonna take at 39.”

Morgan and company are currently in possession of Picks 39, 65, 101, 142, 200 and 240.

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Updated list of Panthers’ 2024 NFL draft picks for Day 2 and Day 3

Here’s what the Panthers are working with, at least at the moment, for the second and third days of the 2024 NFL draft:

Last week, Carolina Panthers president of football operations/general manager Dan Morgan said he didn’t want to box his team out from trades in the 2024 NFL draft. Well, he didn’t—so we have some housekeeping to do now.

On Thursday night, Morgan pushed the Panthers into the first round—striking a deal with the Buffalo Bills for the 32nd overall pick. With that trade came the selection of University of South Carolina wideout Xavier Legette as well as some reshuffling on the deck.

So, as we enter Day 2, here’s what Carolina now has left for the remainder of the proceedings:

Second round: No. 39 (via New York Giants)
Third round: No. 65
Fourth round: No. 101
Fifth round: No. 142 (via Tennessee Titans)
Sixth round: No. 200 (via Buffalo Bills)
Seventh round: No. 240 (via Pittsburgh Steelers)

Morgan told reporters during his post-pick presser last night that there are still plenty of prospects to choose from moving into Friday.

He also said that he anticipates some trade calls on that 39th pick.

Stay tuned!

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Panthers GM Dan Morgan explains why he traded up for Xavier Legette

Panthers GM Dan Morgan had a few good reasons for trading up to nab WR Xavier Legette.

His days as a linebacker may be long gone, but Carolina Panthers president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan hasn’t lost his aggression.

On Thursday night, Morgan and his front office made their move—jumping into the first round of the 2024 NFL draft to select University of South Carolina wideout Xavier Legette. Morgan then began his post-pick presser by explaining why he came to the decision.

“Yeah, the fifth-year option is definitely important. I think, obviously, that was a big reason to trade up into the first round,” he said. “Besides the player, we loved Xavier. Everything he brought—not only as a person, but as a player. Like, his ability to attack the ball when it’s in the air, his ability to run with it after the catch, he’s big, he’s strong, he’s physical. Think he has a lot of upside. So we wanted to take that opportunity to go get our guy.”

The trade, one that was struck with the Buffalo Bills, bumped the Panthers up from Pick No. 33 to Pick No. 32. Legette, as a first-round pick, will now have the all-important fifth-year option attached to his rookie deal—giving the organization a bit of flexibility with his future.

Morgan continued.

“I think once the wideouts were taken—Brian Thomas was taken and then I felt like there was gonna be a little run on wideouts after that,” he stated. “Then Xavier Worthy got taken. And we liked some of those guys and with Xavier [Legette] out there, we were just like—we don’t wanna put ourself in a bad situation to where we’re not gonna be able to get the guy we wanna get. He was our target, we really liked him and we went and got him.”

Well, he really was their guy after all.

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Panthers trade up, select South Carolina WR Xavier Legette with 32nd pick of 2024 draft

The Panthers kept their “promise” to Xavier Legette, jumping into the final spot of the first round to select the South Carolina wideout.

The Carolina-Buffalo pipeline goes both ways—and apparently, it can also include draft picks.

President of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan called up his buddies over in Orchard Park to pull off a swap to end Day 1 of the 2024 NFL draft. Carolina acquired the 32nd overall pick and the 200th overall pick in exchange for the 33rd and 141st picks.

And with that, they kept their “promise,” selecting University of South Carolina wide receiver Xavier Legette.

Legette, in an interview with our own John Crumpler, stated that the team told him he’d be their choice if he was available with their original 33rd overall selection.

“I’ve met with the Panthers about four or five times,” he said. “The relationship, it just keeps continuing to grow. They’re really hoping I can make it the second round. They keep on telling me if I’m sitting at 33, they’re gonna take me.”

Well, he was right—even if it was one spot earlier.

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