Dan Morgan made no secret of his desire to be aggressive this offseason. The general manager has done a good job of gradually building the Carolina Panthers into a respected team over his first two years at the helm. But after winning the NFC South and reaching the postseason, taking the next step is the most challenging of all.
Expectations are rising. The Panthers made the playoffs despite achieving just eight wins. But now, the focus is on becoming a legitimate Super Bowl challenger sooner rather than later.
If fans were in any doubt about that, splashing the cash on edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd left no doubt. These bombshell additions made the entire league sit up and take notice. Morgan can feel the momentum shifting in Carolina's favor. He doesn't plan on wasting it.
Attention now turns to the 2026 NFL Draft. The Panthers have seven picks across the first six rounds. It'll be a longer wait than normal in the first, but Morgan is in a position to take the best prospects available, regardless of need.
Using the Pro Football and Sports Network simulator, we took a look at how the Panthers could use their selections in our latest seven-round mock draft, which begins with a formidable asset to the offensive line.
Carolina Panthers 7-round mock draft sparks big shift after bold free agency
Carolina Panthers draft Spencer Fano
- Offensive Line | Utah Utes
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 19
The Carolina Panthers have yet to draft an offensive lineman under Dan Morgan. Considering the money tied into the protection, and Cade Mays' departure to the Detroit Lions in free agency, that is almost guaranteed to change this time around.
And if Spencer Fano makes it this far down the pecking order, it would be a difficult proposition to turn down.
Fano spent most of his college career on the edge, but most analysts believe he'll be better suited to the interior when he gets to the pros. The Utah prospect was taking snaps at center throughout pre-draft assessment events, indicating he is receptive to the transition.
The Panthers signed Luke Fortner to fill the void left by Mays. He played well for the New Orleans Saints last season, but Fano has the potential to be a step up. He's explosive, athletic, and aggressive. There are concerns about his lack of length as a tackle, but those worries would evaporate with a permanent switch to the center position.
It's not the sexiest pick, certainly not compared to a wide receiver. However, Fano's skill set looks almost bust-proof.
Carolina Panthers draft Anthony Hill Jr.
- Linebacker | Texas Longhorns
- Round No. 2 | Pick No. 51
The Carolina Panthers secured a massive coup with the signing of second-team All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd in free agency. However, that might not be enough for general manager Dan Morgan.
Christian Rozeboom wasn't brought back, signing for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Trevin Wallace is still around, but his production hasn't met expectations over his first two NFL seasons. Lloyd will help massively, but Morgan will not settle.
Carolina has reportedly taken a strong interest in Anthony Hill Jr. throughout the assessment process. He was projected to be among the first prospects taken before the 2025 campaign. While his final season at Texas was a down one by his typically high standards, there is enough athletic upside to take a chance here.
If Hill can improve his processing and angles towards the ball carrier, the ceiling is through the roof. With Morgan and Lloyd around, this would be an exceptional spot to learn.
Carolina Panthers draft Oscar Delp
- Tight End | Georgia Bulldogs
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 83
The Panthers focused on defensive reinforcements in free agency. That was the right call, but adding to the firepower around quarterback Bryce Young should be high on Dan Morgan's to-do list during the 2026 NFL Draft.
Much of the speculation centers on another wide receiver in the first round. Either way, the Panthers should also examine the possibility of acquiring another dynamic pass-catching tight end for the Alabama product to depend upon.
Kenyon Sadiq might be gone by the time Carolina goes on the clock at No. 19. There are others worthy of consideration, and Oscar Delp comes with more intrigue than most.
Delp might not have the generational hype of his former college teammate Brock Bowers, but his athleticism and dynamism could be an instant mismatch with a little extra refinement. His dazzling showcase at Georgia's pro day saw his stock soar, so the Panthers may even have to take him higher than this when push comes to shove.
Carolina Panthers draft Kendrick Law
- Wide Receiver | Kentucky Wildcats
- Round No. 4 | Pick No. 119
Standing pat at the wide receiver position in free agency was a telltale sign that more is on the way during the draft. Taking a pass-catcher for the third straight year in the first round cannot be completely dismissed, but Dan Morgan could also wait a little longer.
This is projected as another deep receiver class. With Tetairoa McMillan firmly cemented as the No. 1 option, and the Panthers moving Jalen Coker to the Z role at the business end of the 2025 campaign, finding a slot option capable of creating yards after the catch will be considered at some stage.
Kendrick Law is a former teammate of Bryce Young at Alabama. He transferred to Kentucky for the 2025 campaign, looking to enhance his stock in an expanded role. Despite inconsistent quarterback play, the prospect flashed immense promise, making him an enticing option at this stage of the draft.
Carolina Panthers draft Devon Marshall
- Cornerback | North Carolina State Wolfpack
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 158
The Carolina Panthers' defense looks a lot better after the additions of edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd. Almost everything is in position to take off, but general manager Dan Morgan could use more competition for the starting nickel cornerback role.
Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson Sr. were an elite cornerback tandem on the boundary. Passing outside the numbers was difficult for any team last season. Doing it over the middle was far easier, and that has to change in 2026.
While Chau Smith-Wade flashed, the consistency was not to the required standard. If Devon Marshall made it this far down the order, the Panthers should turn in their card and not think twice about it.
Marshall's 2025 season with the North Carolina State Wolfpack was exceptional. He's a little undersized for outside responsibilities, but his compact frame and aggressive attack tendencies could make him a solid slot option.
Carolina Panthers draft Nick Barrett
- Defensive Line | South Carolina Gamecocks
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 159
The Panthers had no choice other than to release interior defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson this offseason. He played relatively well in 2025, but the $10.5 million in savings attached to his departure were too necessary to ignore.
Robinson wasn't replaced from the veteran pool. The Panthers could deploy Bobby Brown III as their nose tackle, and those in power remain confident in Cam Jackson's upside, but acquiring another depth piece in the defensive trenches who could become something more wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.
Nick Barrett has the frame and mass to be a space-eating force at the next level. He's got an impressive motor, is explosive to the initial contact point, and offers surprising pass-rushing ability when the situation dictates. More importantly, the South Carolina product can absorb combination blocks effectively, creating space for others to do damage.
Carolina Panthers draft Wydett Williams Jr.
- Safety | Ole Miss Rebels
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 200
Adding to the safety room could be done a lot sooner, depending on what Dan Morgan has planned. The Panthers didn't do anything to strengthen the unit in free agency, which means Tre'von Moehrig is still looking for a consistent partner on the defensive back end.
Nick Scott returned on a one-year deal, and he came on last season after an indifferent start. Lathan Ransom showcased what he could bring as a rookie, but his skill set looks a little similar to Moehrig's. Acquiring someone who can thrive in coverage should be the goal. Wydett Williams Jr. could be worth a flier with Carolina's final selection of the draft.
Williams might not be the most athletic, but he makes plays. The defensive back forced a 23.4 percent incompletion rate last season. His ability to decipher route concepts is arguably his best trait, but his tackling technique must improve to make a go of things in the NFL.