The MVP of the Panthers 2024 NFL Draft
A quick blurb on the Panthers MVP (Most Valuable Pick) from that draft.
The last pick the Carolina Panthers made in the 2024 NFL Draft has turned out to be their most valuable to date.
“With the 240th pick of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers select Michael Barrett, linebacker, Michigan.”
The Panthers didn’t even have a seventh round draft pick1 in their arsenal until March 13, 2024.
You remember that deal? The Panthers made a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers on that day for wide receiver Diontae Johnson. The Panthers traded corner Donte Jackson and a sixth round draft choice to the Steelers for Johnson and their 7th round selection.
It’s a good thing that the Panthers made that deal on March 13 as Barrett’s selection has netted the Panthers their biggest return on investment for that draft class at the moment.
Barrett never played a regular season down for the Panthers. He was traded to the Seattle Seahawks on August 22, 2024.
The Panthers return in that trade? Corner Mike Jackson.
Barrett was cut by Seattle a few weeks later and has bounced around on a few practice squads since. He has not played a regular season snap.
Meanwhile, Jackson has started 35 games and played nearly every defensive snap. In 2025, he tied for the NFL lead with 19 defended passes and added four interceptions, returning one for a touchdown in the regular season victory over the Rams.
He didn’t slow down in the Panthers lone playoff game either. He had four defended passes and another interception of Matthew Stafford.
That transaction has proven to be one of Dan Morgan’s best since being named President of Football Operations and General Manager.
Although Diontae Johnson quickly flamed out in 2024, the Panthers clearly made the most out of the other asset they received in that trade.
The Panthers traded their original 2024 seventh round selection and Dennis Daley to the Tennessee Titans on August 30, 2022, in exchange for a fifth round selection in the same draft. That pick ended up being No. 142, which was used to move up to take Jonathan Brooks.