The Carolina Panthers fell short of expectations in the 2024 season, finishing with a 5-12 record and landing third in the NFC South. Quarterback Bryce Young struggled to find consistency, eventually being benched in favor of veteran Andy Dalton before the team returned to Young later in the season. Despite the ups and downs, signs point to Young remaining the franchise quarterback moving forward. Now, the focus shifts to surrounding him with the right talent to support his development.
In a recent piece outlining ideal draft scenarios for every NFL team, NFL analyst Chad Reuter highlighted the perfect first two picks for the Panthers: tight end Tyler Warren and defensive back Kevin Winston Jr. Reuter acknowledged that tight end may not be Carolina’s most pressing need, but argued that Warren’s potential impact on offense is too valuable to ignore. As a reliable safety valve and red-zone threat, Warren could play a key role in helping Young take a step forward in his third year.
Reuter also sees value in the Panthers targeting Winston in the second round, describing the Penn State product as a rangy, dependable tackler who would pair well with free-agent addition Tre’von Moehrig in the secondary. Interestingly, both Warren and Winston come from Penn State — mirroring a trend seen in last year’s draft, when the Rams selected two Florida State standouts (Jared Verse and Braden Fiske) and the Jaguars doubled up on LSU prospects (Brian Thomas Jr. and Maason Smith).
Though Carolina might have more immediate needs elsewhere, passing on a dynamic talent like Warren could be a mistake. The tight end had a monster 2024 season, hauling in 104 catches for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns. He led the Big Ten in receptions and even finished seventh in Heisman voting — a rare feat for a tight end.
If the Panthers land both Warren and Winston, it could mark a major step toward building a more complete and competitive roster around Bryce Young.
While Tyler Warren made headlines as an elite pass-catcher, his impact extended far beyond the stat sheet. The Penn State tight end also rushed for 218 yards and four touchdowns, underscoring his versatility. A strong and reliable blocker, Warren has the tools to excel both as an in-line tight end and in the slot, giving Carolina multiple ways to utilize his skill set.
On the other side of the ball, Warren’s college teammate Kevin Winston Jr. brings promise to the Panthers’ secondary. Though Winston was limited to just three games in 2024 due to injury, he still recorded 13 tackles and earned a 61.2 grade from Pro Football Focus. His breakout year came in 2023, when he posted 61 tackles, three tackles for loss, an interception, and five pass deflections over 13 games. Known for his sure tackling and willingness to engage ball carriers in open space, Winston brings physicality and consistency to the back end of the defense.
Both prospects could make immediate contributions in Carolina. With Tommy Tremble currently penciled in as the starting tight end, Warren’s upside gives him a real shot to emerge as Bryce Young’s top target right away. Meanwhile, Winston has the tools to step in and start alongside Tre’von Moehrig in a revamped secondary.
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