NFL Draft 2018: Panthers Pick As Team Seeks Return To Super Bowl

CHARLOTTE, NC — The Carolina Panthers are geared up and ready to select No. 24 in Thursday's NFL draft, which starts at 8 p.m. at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and airs on ESPN.

The Panthers finished 11-5 last season and have a lot more needs than picks. “The wide receiver spot must be addressed early in the draft,” and after Bashaud Breeland’s failed physical, the team is in need of a cornerback, says an NFL.com analyst.

Below is the full order of selections for the Panthers.

The NFL released the 2018 football schedules last week, revealing the Ravens will kick off the season at home against the Buffalo Bills at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 9. The schedule also has Baltimore slated for two prime-time slots this season.

The first prime-time appearance comes in week two. The Ravens will travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals at 8:20 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 16.

The draft was opening with one of the deepest quarterback classes in years, which is good news for the Cleveland Browns, who pick No. 1 overall and have had disaster after disaster "leading" their team to disappointing season after disappointing season. That left the only mystery which quarterback they would choose.

Available:

• Sam Darnold, USC. 6-foot-3 3/8, 221 pounds.
• Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma. 6-0 3/4, 216 pounds.
• Josh Allen, Wyoming. 6-4 7/8, 237 pounds.
• Lamar Jackson, Louisville. 6-2 1/4, 216 pounds.
• Josh Rosen, UCLA. 6-4, 226 pounds.

The Browns also hold the No. 4 pick, leaving open the possibility they would eye a one-two offensive punch of their QB pick teamed with Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, considered by most the No. 1 backfield prospect.

A number of defensive standouts were on the top-picks list, too, which left teams jockeying to see who might land that game-changing pass rusher or shut-down defensive back.
After Thursday's first round, the draft resumes Friday for rounds 2-3, and then again at noon on Saturday.

Here's Sports Illustrated's rundown of top overall players available on the board:

1. Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State
2. Sam Darnold, QB, USC
3. Bradley Chubb, EDGE, North Carolina State
4. Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame
5. Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming
6. Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama
7. Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma
8. Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA
9. Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State
10. Roquan Smith, STACK LB, Georgia

Here are Carolina Panthers' picks by round, pick and overall selection.

• 1-24-24 Carolina -- D.J. Moore, WR
• 2-23-55 Carolina -- Donte Jackson, CB
• 3-21-85 Carolina -- Rashaan Gaulden, S
• 3-24-88 Carolina -- Ian Thomas, TE
• 5-24-161 Carolina -- Marquis Haynes, EDGE
• 6-23-197 Carolina -- Jermaine Carter, ILB
• 7-16-234 Carolina -- Andre Smith, ILB
• 7-24-242 Carolina -- Kendrick Norton, DT

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