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Panthers pound the 2024 NFL Draft

Plus, a Charlotte native gets picked early in the first round.

Fans watch the Carolina Panthers play at Bank of America Stadium

Despite a losing season, the Carolina Panthers recorded an average home attendance of 71,635 spectators in 2023 — not a dramatic drop from previous seasons.

Photo by CLTtoday

After trading up for the No.1 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, nobody expected the Carolina Panthers to crash the party on night one in the first round. But what’s a fun draft without a few surprises? Just ask about surprises, Dillworth Neighborhood Grille?

While many fans were already asleep, the Panthers made a surprise first round pick for Xavier Legette — a wide receiver from the University of South Carolina at No. 32.

Here’s the full lineup of players joining “the Panthers’ den":

First round — No. 32 pick
Xavier Legette | Wide Receiver | South Carolina

Second round — No. 14 pick
Jonathon Brooks | Running back | Texas

Third round — No. 8 pick
Trevin Wallace | Linebacker | Kentucky

Fourth round — No. 1 pick
Ja’Tavion Sanders | Tight end | Texas

Fifth round — No. 22 pick
Chau Smith-Wade | Cornerback | Washington State

Sixth round — No. 24 pick
Jaden Crumedy | Defensive tackle | Mississippi State

Seventh round — No. 20 pick
Michael Barrett | Linebacker | Michigan

Editor’s note: The Queen City was represented when Charlotte native + UNC quarterback Drake Maye was drafted No. 3 overall to the New England Patriots. Maye was the quarterback for Myers Park High School.

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