The time for rumors and speculation is almost over. We are just a few days away from the 2026 NFL Draft, and the Carolina Panthers could be one dream haul away from entering legitimate contention next season.
That might sound a little far-fetched, but it's not impossible. The Panthers are coming off a season in which they won the NFC South and returned to the playoffs. General manager Dan Morgan's plan is going well, but taking the next step is even more challenging.
Being a dark horse challenger is one thing. Being one of the NFL's top dogs is something else. The Panthers are going from the hunter to the hunted, which is a new experience for most players in the locker room. Head coach Dave Canales is confident, especially after some big splashes in free agency. And a strong draft will only help them along the way.
Morgan is picking further down the draft order than usual at No. 19 overall. Hopefully, this becomes the norm, and even though this is one of the more unpredictable drafts in recent memory, the Panthers have the right man leading them along the way.
Using the Pro Football and Sports Network simulator, we took a look at how things could shake out for the Panthers in our penultimate seven-round mock draft.
Carolina Panthers 7-round mock draft creates fireworks with Dan Morgan's dream haul
Carolina Panthers draft Kenyon Sadiq
- Tight End | Oregon Ducks
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 19
The Carolina Panthers need to add more around quarterback Bryce Young. Dan Morgan did a tremendous job of filling key defensive needs in free agency, giving him the freedom to take the best available prospects. And if Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq made it down to No. 19 overall, it would be a difficult proposition to turn down.
Carolina hasn't had a prolific pass-catching tight end since Greg Olsen. It's arguably the missing piece of the puzzle, and Sadiq is the best in this class by a considerable margin.
Sadiq is a matchup nightmare. He's versatile, explosive, and a fierce threat after the catch. He's a wide receiver in a tight end's body, but that doesn't mean he isn't a willing blocker. The opportunities would be endless within the Panthers' offensive scheme. However, a situation could arise in which he is taken higher.
If the Panthers zero in on Sadiq, they need a little bit of luck. But it's not completely out of the realm of possibility.
Carolina Panthers draft A.J. Haulcy
- Safety | LSU Tigers
- Round No. 2 | Pick No. 51
The Carolina Panthers added some top-level defenders to their ranks in free agency. Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd will help immensely, but a couple of tweaks are still needed to raise confidence.
One of those is finding a dynamic safety to place alongside Tre'von Moehrig. Oregon standout Dillon Thieneman is a hot name in first-round contention, but several others also represent intriguing possibilities a little further down the draft. It took a while, but the late interest shown in LSU's A.J. Haulcy was notable.
Haulcy is a little undersized, but it doesn't impact his ability to produce. He absolutely excels in coverage, boasting the versatility and fluidity of a productive modern-day safety at the next level.
Whether it's reading the quarterback's eyes effectively or reacting with elite-level anticipation, the defensive back is polished enough to become a Day 1 starter in Carolina with a smooth transition.
Carolina Panthers draft Ted Hurst
- Wide Receiver | Georgia State Panthers
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 83
Enhancing the supporting cast around Bryce Young shouldn't end with the best tight end in the 2026 class. The Panthers also need another dynamic wide receiver to help them along the way.
Carolina has done its due diligence on several first-round candidates. If the Panthers decide to wait a little longer, there could be better value to be had at some stage on Day 2.
Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker are a productive tandem. Questions remain about Xavier Legette and Jimmy Horn Jr. David Moore is a solid veteran and special-teams force, but asking for more is pushing it.
If Ted Hurst is available when the Panthers go on the clock at No. 83 overall, that should provoke a discussion. His production at Georgia State was nothing short of exceptional. He's got the size and athleticism Carolina looks for in its receivers. Though he isn't a great threat after the catch, his speed makes him a vertical threat. His physicality also makes him a contested catch asset, especially in the red zone.
Carolina Panthers draft Chandler Rivers
- Cornerback | Duke Blue Devils
- Round No. 4 | Pick No. 119
Another area on defense that could use an upgrade is the nickel cornerback spot. It's an area the Panthers ignored in free agency, hinting that Dan Morgan has someone from the college ranks in his sights if the draft board falls his way.
Passing outside the numbers on Carolina was difficult last season, thanks to the elite play of Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson Sr. Opposing offenses had far more success over the middle, which cannot happen again if the Panthers want to make a successful defense of their NFC South championship.
Chau Smith-Wade manned the starting nickel role last season. He's a high-effort player, but the quality is lacking. Adding some extra competition is essential, and someone like Chandler Rivers makes more sense than most at this stage of the draft.
Rivers isn't the biggest, but his fluid hips and quick feet more than make up for it. He's also an exceptional communicator in zone schemes, which is precisely what defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero should be looking for.
Carolina Panthers draft Logan Jones
- Center | Iowa Hawkeyes
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 158
The Carolina Panthers made a big call in free agency by letting starting center Cade Mays walk in favor of the Detroit Lions. Dan Morgan and Brandt Tilis opted to allocate their money elsewhere, taking a calculated risk that could yield significant rewards.
Morgan found a solid stopgap in free agency by signing Luke Fortner. Whether he can be a legitimate long-term option is debatable, so finding a development project via the draft wouldn't be the worst idea.
A chance is taken on Logan Jones here. Iowa has produced a conveyor belt of NFL offensive linemen in recent years, and the imposing interior force is next in line. His arm length is concerning, but the athleticism and functional strength represent a solid platform on which to grow.
With Fortner around, there wouldn't be any pressure on Jones to contribute right away, giving him all the time he needs to potentially fight for a starting role in 2027.
Carolina Panthers draft Taurean York
- Linebacker | Texas A&M Aggies
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 159
The Panthers caused a significant stir by signing second-team All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd in free agency. This could be an absolute steal if he builds on his breakout campaign, and he is easily the best second-level presence Carolina has had since new Pro Football Hall of Famer Luke Kuechly retired after the 2019 season.
Lloyd has the scope to be a dynamic game-changer for a defense crying out for help in the middle. Even so, his arrival won't stop Morgan from adding to the room if the right opportunities present themselves.
There is a good chance he drafts a linebacker much higher than this. But in this scenario, the Panthers gamble on the potential upside of Taurean York, who could be an absolute steal here.
York might not have the size, but he plays much bigger than his measurables suggest. He arrives with violence against the run, and his coverage ability is impressive. If he can refine his tackling technique and find better ways to get off blocks, he could carve out a successful career for himself.
Carolina Panthers draft Dontay Corleone
- Defensive Line | Cincinnati Bearcats
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 200
Adding to the defensive trenches should also be considered by the Panthers at some stage. Dan Morgan took the difficult decision to release A'Shawn Robinson, saving $10.5 million against the cap. This was a business move, but it does leave a hole that must be filled.
Bobby Brown III has experience as the nose tackle, so he could be the frontrunner. The Panthers remain encouraged by Cam Jackson's progress after his rookie flashes, so he'll likely have a key spot on the rotation once again. That won't be enough to cope with any injuries that may arise.
With the final pick for Carolina in this mock draft, the Panthers select defensive lineman Dontay Corleone. Aside from having one of the coolest names in this class, he is the prototypical size of a 3-4 nose tackle. He also happens to be an immovable object against the run, absorbing combination blocks just enough to free up space for others.