The Carolina Panthers made some big splashes over the early stages of free agency. General manager Dan Morgan promised aggression, and he delivered. More importantly, this also gives the franchise some extra flexibility when the 2026 NFL Draft rolls around.
Morgan recently stated that he believes the Panthers are in a position to take the best prospects available, regardless of need. Looking at the roster as presently constructed, there is freedom. And nothing will be off the table as Carolina aims to go deeper into the postseason next time around.
Speculation is running wild about which prospects will join the Panthers. It's a longer wait than normal at No. 19 overall, and this isn't projected to be the strongest draft at the top end. Even so, Morgan will have targets in mind. He also won't hesitate to move up and down the draft order when the right opportunities present themselves.
Fans are quietly confident that Morgan will do what's required to keep the positive momentum going. While the jury is still out on his 2024 class, things look much more promising for the 2025 crop. If the same happens again, the Panthers will be in a good spot.
Using the Pro Football and Sports Network simulator, we took a look at where things stand for the Panthers after free agency in our latest seven-round mock draft.
Carolina Panthers break down barriers in 7-round 2026 NFL mock draft
Carolina Panthers draft Jordyn Tyson
- Wide Receiver | Arizona State Sun Devils
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 19
Taking a wide receiver in the first round in three consecutive years seems almost unfathomable. But if Dan Morgan believes it's the right thing to take the Carolina Panthers forward, he won't hesitate to pull the trigger.
Tetairoa McMillan is a superstar. Jalen Coker is firmly cemented as the No. 2 option, but there are questions around the rest. Xavier Legette fell out of favor last season, and Jimmy Jorn Jr. also had his struggles. David Moore brings experience, but he's never been a true needle mover.
While there are some injury red flags, especially lately, Jordyn Tyson might be a difficult proposition to turn down at No. 19 if he makes it that far down the pecking order. Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq was off the board, but the Panthers still managed to get a potentially prolific weapon for quarterback Bryce Young.
Everything Tyson does seems effortless. He's a fluid mover with the size and speed to dominate. He's got the wide wingspan and physical profile to win in contested catch situations. He's also a yards after the catch threat in the short to intermediate areas of the field.
If the Panthers are satisfied with his medical assessments, the Arizona State product should be on the shortlist.
Carolina Panthers draft Jacob Rodriguez
- Linebacker | Texas Tech Red Raiders
- Round No. 2 | Pick No. 51
The Carolina Panthers shook the NFL to its foundations by signing second-team All-Pro linebacker Devin Lloyd in free agency. He was the consensus best second-level enforcer on the market, and the contract he signed was way less than initial market projections.
This is going to completely change the dynamic for Carolina's defense. However, this shouldn't preclude Dan Moorgan from taking another linebacker during the draft if a prospect high on his board becomes a value selection at some stage.
Jacob Rodriguez might go a lot higher than this. But if he is somehow still available when Carolina goes on the clock in the second round, the Panthers should seriously consider the possibility.
The Texas Tech prospect is a football player in every sense of the term. His high-quality production, relentless work ethic, and infectious enthusiasm look tailor-made for Carolina's culture. Pairing Rodriguez with Lloyd instantly gives the Panthers a prolific linebacker tandem.
Carolina Panthers draft Oscar Delp
- Tight End | Georgia Bulldogs
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 74
Dan Morgan traded up twice on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft for Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen. The Panthers do the same again in this scenario for a high-ceiling offensive playmaker whose stock has soared during the assessment process.
Oscar Delp may not have the generational hype of his former Georgia teammate Brock Bowers, but that doesn't detract from what an asset he could become at the next level. His athleticism is off the charts, which is matched by a well-rounded blocking ability. If Brad Idzik has the right play designs, he's a schematic mismatch.
While his numbers were never jaw-dropping with the Bulldogs, Delp could be merely scratching the surface of what he's capable of. A blistering pro day showcase reportedly got the Panthers' attention, so one couldn't completely dismiss the possibility of the tight end going in the second round when push comes to shove.
Carolina Panthers draft Devon Marshall
- Cornerback | North Carolina State Wolfpack
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 148
The Panthers could still use some extra competition at the nickel cornerback spot. Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero has an elite boundary tandem in Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson Sr. If they can limit passing yards across the middle, that will help bring about even more improvements.
Chau Smith-Wade performed admirably in the slot last season, but his limitations are obvious. Undrafted free agent Corey Thornton showed promise before getting hurt. The Panthers need more, which might come via free agency. But if they opt to wait until the draft, Devon Marshall could be a rough diamond capable of becoming a factor pretty quickly.
Marshall looks undersized to play as an outside corner. This could also lead to some struggles in the nickel, but his aggressive style and ability to create turnovers make switching inside an intriguing possibility.
The North Carolina State product has immediate rotational upside. Moving into the slot could give him instant starting promise with a smooth adjustment.
Carolina Panthers draft Dontay Corleone
- Defensive Line | Cincinnati Bearcats
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 158
The Carolina Panthers inevitably released A'Shawn Robinson as part of cost-cutting measures. They had a surplus on the defensive line, with Bobby Brown III or Cam Jackson set to fill the void. But it might be worth Carolina looking for a cheaper depth option to further bolster the depth chart.
Evero runs a 3-4 base front. Robinson lined up at the nose tackle spot more often than not in 2025. He performed well enough, but the production didn't match the paycheck.
Brown and Jackson will get the first shot. However, someone with Dontay Corleone's physical attributes could be an enticing proposition at this stage of the draft. He was an immovable object against the run in college. The Cincinnati product boasts enough core strength to absorb double-teams while also boasting the explosive power to move the pile.
Corleone is the prototypical nose tackle build. There are limitations as a pass-rusher, but the Panthers wouldn't be tasking him with much of that in this scenario.
Carolina Panthers draft Trey Zuhn III
- Center | Texas A&M Aggies
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 159
Carolina was forced to shuffle along the offensive line this offseason. Ikem Ekwonu's injury saw Dan Morgan acquire left tackle Rasheed Walker in free agency on an immensely favorable deal. The front-office leader also needed to think quickly at the center position after Cade Mays departed for the Detroit Lions.
Luke Fortner came in on a one-year deal, and it'll be interesting to see how he fares in pursuit of a bigger commitment this time next year. The Panthers cannot leave anything to chance, so finding a development project to learn behind the veteran should be considered at some stage.
That brings Trey Zuhn III under the microscope. The Texas A&M prospect has the size, length, and physicality to be an NFL starter over time. His feet and quick-twitch movements are good for a man his size, though some technical refinements are needed before confidence increases.
Carolina Panthers draft Jakobe Thomas
- Safety | Miami Hurricanes
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 200
The Panthers could end up taking a safety much higher than this. Dan Morgan didn't address the position group with urgency in free agency. Carolina re-signed Nick Scott, but that's about all right now.
Tre'von Moehrig is the alpha in Carolina's safety room. Lathan Ransom's rookie flashes suggest there could be more to come. Scott performed better than expected last season, but the limitations can complicate matters.
Nobody would be shocked if Morgan spent one of his Day 2 picks on a safety. If he opts to bide his time, Jakobe Thomas could be a possible steal after a standout campaign with the Miami Hurricanes in 2025.
Thomas was a driving force in Miami's run to the College Football Playoff National Championship. His five interceptions displayed his ball-hawk credentials. His 3.5 sacks, four tackles for loss, and 76 tackles showcased his good work closer to the line of scrimmage.