Carolina moved from No. 52 to No. 46 for Jonathon Brooks,…
Carolina moved from No. 52 to No. 46 for Jonathon Brooks, sending Indianapolis two additional fifth-round picks at Nos. 142 and 155. Brooks entered the league recovering from an ACL tear and then tore the same ACL again in his third NFL game, sharply limiting the early return. The Colts collected three selections for six spots of movement, giving Indianapolis the stronger realized value so far.
Carolina Panthers Received
- pick 2024 2nd round pick (46th overall, Jonathon Brooks)
Indianapolis Colts Received
- pick 2024 2nd round pick (52nd overall, Adonai Mitchell ), 2024 5th round pick (142nd overall, Anthony Gould ) and 2024 5th round pick (155th overall subsequently traded, Jeremiah Trotter )
Trade Analysis
What Changed Hands
Carolina traded picks No. 52, 142 and 155 to Indianapolis on April 26, 2024, to move up six spots and select running back Jonathon Brooks at No. 46. The Colts used No. 52 on Adonai Mitchell and No. 142 on Anthony Gould, while the No. 155 asset was later moved. The Panthers were paying a clear premium to secure the top running back on their board.
How the Value Developed
The risk attached to Brooks was known because he was recovering from a torn ACL suffered at Texas in November 2023. After returning during his rookie season, he suffered another tear of the same right ACL in his third NFL game. That injury wiped out the rest of his rookie campaign and the 2025 season, leaving Carolina with very little realized production from a pick that required two extra selections to obtain. Indianapolis, meanwhile, distributed the return across multiple roster opportunities.
Why Indianapolis Gets the Edge
The Panthers should not be punished as if the second injury were predictable, and Brooks still has a chance to revive his career. That uncertainty is why Carolina remains above a failing grade. But the cost matters: moving only six spots required two fifth-rounders in addition to No. 52. The Colts accepted the board risk of moving back and were compensated with extra chances, while the specific player Carolina targeted has not yet produced enough value to justify the package.
Final Verdict
Indianapolis earns a B+ and the current win. Carolina receives a C+ because the trade was a rational attempt to secure a preferred player and Brooks' health outcome was unfortunate, not reckless. Still, strict hindsight favors the side that collected three assets and has already received more usable value.