How can the Carolina Panthers repeat as NFC South champions? It all starts with a good offseason.
General manager Dan Morgan got the party started early with a strong group of free agent signings. His next test will be an even bigger one: the 2026 NFL Draft.
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Morgan worked to upgrade the biggest weak points on the Panthers‘ roster in free agency when he signed linebacker Devin Lloyd, edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and offensive tackle Rasheed Walker. Each player was among the best available in free agency at his position, but Carolina still needs more young talent on the roster to complement the veterans.
2026 NFL DRAFT: Odds for total players drafted at each position in first round
Headed into the 2026 NFL Draft, the Panthers have seven picks – six of their own, plus one acquired from the Vikings in the Adam Thielen trade. If Carolina wants to start a streak of NFC South titles, nailing its picks in the draft is the way to set up the Panthers for sustained success around quarterback Bryce Young.
Here’s a look at the Panthers’ collection of picks in the upcoming NFL draft, along with their draft needs and a mock draft of potential fits at each pick.
The Panthers have seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Here’s the complete list:
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Round 1, Pick 19
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Round 2, Pick 51
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Round 3, Pick 83
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Round 4, Pick 119
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Round 5, Pick 158 (from Vikings)
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Round 5, Pick 159
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Round 6, Pick 200
PANTHERS NEWS: Carolina trades QB Andy Dalton to Eagles for 2027 draft pick
This section will be updated after the Panthers make their first selection.
Carolina’s biggest project entering the offseason was improving its defense. Panthers general manager Dan Morgan got to work on that early, signing linebacker Devin Lloyd and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips – two of the best available players at their respective positions.
But the need for a starting-caliber safety remains pressing for the Panthers’ defense. Nick Scott is back on another one-year deal, but Carolina could have a chance to lock down a long-term answer at the position in one of the early rounds of this year’s draft.
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Tetairoa McMillan proved to be everything Carolina had been hoping for when it made him the No. 8 overall pick in last year’s draft. He quickly found chemistry with quarterback Bryce Young and won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award for his efforts in a 1,014-yard, seven-touchdown season.
The Panthers still need to give Young more help in their receiving corps after Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker both finished 2025 with fewer than 400 yards. If Carolina doesn’t address safety in the back half of the first round, it should consider bringing in another first-round receiver to pair with McMillan.
Here’s what the Panthers could do come draft night, per Ayrton Ostly’s seven-round mock draft:
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Round 1, Pick 19: WR Makai Lemon, USC
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Round 3, Pick 83: S Genesis Smith, Arizona
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Round 4, Pick 119: C Sam Hecht, Kansas State
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Round 5, Pick 158 (from Vikings): IOL Jeremiah Wright, Auburn
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Round 5, Pick 159: Traded to Ravens
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Round 5, Pick 174 (from Ravens): Edge Trey Moore, Texas
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Round 7, Pick 253 (from Ravens): Edge Zach Durfee, Washington
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Panthers NFL draft picks: Selections, needs, mock draft for 2026
