The Carolina Panthers enter the 2026 NFL Draft with a lot to build on.
While not coming off a perfect season, they did sneak up and win the NFC South Division title to make the playoffs. That’s certainly a big deal for Bryce Young and company.
The draft will be a chance to add a lot of affordable, young talent to the group to try and chase a repeat division title.
Such a pursuit won’t be easy, but it’ll be made easier if the Panthers get some of their draft picks right.
With the first round on Thursday, second and third rounds on Friday and fourth through seventh rounds on Saturday, we’ll be keeping track here of everything the Panthers do during the draft.
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Carolina Panthers draft picks 2026
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Who did the Panthers draft?
The Panthers enter the 2026 NFL Draft with 7 picks to make:
- Round 1, Pick 19: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
- Round 2, Pick 51:
- Round 3, Pick 83:
- Round 4, Pick 119:
- Round 5, Pick 158:
- Round 5, Pick 159:
- Round 6, Pick 200:
MORE: NFL Draft pick trade value chart shows how deals are made
Panthers NFL Draft needs
- Safety: The Panthers definitely need help on the back end of the defense. The 19th pick could have either Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman or Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren available to do just that.
- Tight end: This is one area the Panthers haven’t really nailed down in recent years. To keep supporting Bryce Young, finding a quality pass-catching TE could be useful.
- Wide receiver: Tetairoa McMillan looks like a win, so the Panthers don’t need to use their first-rounder here. But to join McMillan and Jalen Coker, Carolina could use another wideout at some point.
Panthers mock draft 2026
Here’s how the Panthers’ draft could work out, based on the seven-round mock draft from SN’s Vinnie Iyer.
| Round | Pick | Selection | Position | College |
| 1 | 19 | Jordyn Tyson | WR | Arizona State |
| 2 | 51 | D’Angelo Ponds | CB | Indiana |
| 3 | 83 | Rayshaun Benny | DT | Michigan |
| 4 | 119 | Zakee Wheatley | S | Penn State |
| 5 | 158 | Tyren Montgomery | WR | John Carroll |
| 5 | 159 | Nicholas Singleton | RB | Penn State |
| 6 | 200 | Jeremiah Wright | C/G | Auburn |
Best names in the draft: Ephesians Prysock | R Mason Thomas | DeVonta Smith | Zxavian Harris
When is the NFL Draft?
The NFL Draft’s first round is on Thursday, April 23.
The second and third rounds are on Friday, April 24.
The fourth through seventh rounds are on Saturday, April 25.