Dealing Panthers draft playmakers Brooks, Wallace

KENTUCKY ATHLETICS

The Carolina Panthers selected Kentucky linebacker Trevin Wallace in the third round of the NFL draft to add depth at a position group that lost Brian Burns and Frankie Luvu in the offseason.

The Carolina Panthers added impact prospects on both sides of the ball on Day 2 of the NFL draft.

The Panthers made three trades on Friday to land Texas running back Jonathon Brooks in the second round and Kentucky linebacker Trevin Wallace in the third. During his pre-draft press conference April 18, general manager Dan Morgan emphasized the front office's focus to land “playmakers.” The sputtering offense certainly needed an infusion. But so does the defense, he insisted.  

“I think it’s about just not getting playmakers for (quarterback) Bryce (Young), it's about getting playmakers for our team,” Morgan said. “For our organization, who’s best going to fit our team? Who’s going to make plays? Who's going to take the ball away on the defensive side of the ball? Who's going to put the ball in the end zone on the offensive side of the ball?”

Morgan followed through by addressing both sides of the ball with Carolina’s first three selections. During the first two rounds, the Panthers focused on offense. After trading up Thursday to land South Carolina receiver Xavier Legette, Morgan orchestrated two second-round deals Friday to secure Brooks at No. 46 overall.

In the third round, Morgan traded back seven spots and discovered Wallace was still available at No. 72.

Brooks should be healthy by training camp

During the draft process, Brooks was prominently linked to the Dallas Cowboys. Owner Jerry Jones said in his three decades of interviewing draft prospects, Brooks’ talk ranked among the best.  

“We got him high, high, high (on our board),” Jones told The Athletic. “He’s a good player.”

When asked about the possibility of joining the Cowboys on Friday, Brooks said via video press conference: "Did I get that vibe? I don't know. I'll just say I'm glad to be in Carolina."

Brooks added that he thought his pre-draft discussion with the Panthers went better than the Cowboys.

Brooks (6-0, 216 pounds) was the first running back selected during the draft. A 2023 Doak Walker Award semifinalist, Brooks has the strength to break tackles near the line of scrimmage and agility to create extra yardage downfield.

Brooks amassed 1,139 yards last season (6.1 yards per carry) before tearing his ACL and missing the final three games. Before the injury, though, Brooks compiled 11 rushes of 20-plus yards. The Panthers as a team combined for just nine such runs last season.

Brooks said he has started running and making cuts and should be set for the start of training camp.

“As far as rehab goes it’s good,” he said. “I’m right on track for where I need to be.’’

Described as a leader with a high football IQ, Brooks played behind Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson before finally earning the starting role last fall. The 20-year-old proved to be a dependable receiver out of the backfield, collecting 25 catches for 286 yards and one touchdown. and lost just one fumble.

Wallace adds depth on defense

It makes sense Morgan, a former standout linebacker, selected Wallace as his initial defensive pick. Wallace clocked a 4.51-second 40-yard dash, the fourth-fastest among linebackers at the NFL combine. He also registered a 37.5-inch vertical leap.  

The third linebacker chosen in the draft, Wallace is a sideline-to-sideline tackler who pursues and closes well. And once he greets the ball carrier, has already adopted Morgan’s “Dawg” mentality.
“I don’t care if I hurt someone during a game,” he said via video press conference. “I want you to be scared of me.”

According to scouts, Wallace plays with enough speed and agility to create plays in the run and pass game. He potentially could begin his career as a weakside linebacker or add versatility and move inside in base 3-4 alignments.

A co-captain at Kentucky, Wallace compiled 80 tackles and 5.5 sacks last season, producing at least 10 tackles in four games.  
“I have a little swag to my game,” he said. “I'm determined to get to the ballcarrier.”

First-rounder Xavier Legette settles in

Legette, the Panthers’ first-round draft pick, made his introductions at Bank of America Stadium Friday morning.

"I appreciate y'all for believing in me and coming to get me in that first round," Legette said to the “Welcome to the Panthers” crowd along Mint Street. A Mullins, S.C., native and former South Carolina standout,

Legette brings speed and athleticism to an offense seeking additional playmakers.  

Legette, who was slowed by injuries as a sophomore and junior, produced a breakout season in 2023, hauling in a team-high 71 catches for 1,255 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Panthers on Friday also picked up the fifth-year option on cornerback Jaycee Horn.

The Panthers are slated to open the third day of the draft unless Morgan trades pick No. 101 before 12 p.m. Saturday.

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