04-04-2026, 01:05 PM -
Carolina Panthers 2026 Mock Draft Report, version 5.0
CHARLOTTE — The NFL draft is less than a month away and the mock drafts are heating up. The Panthers pick 19th overall this year, which means there are dozens of possibilities to discuss over the final weeks.
Mock drafts have picked up now that the combine is over and pro days are beginning. Here are the latest projects for the Panthers from media outlets.
The Panthers have seven total selections this year, and you can see all of their picks here, and we'll keep you posted on all the latest at Panthers.com.
Fox Sports
17th (Trade) S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Rob Rang—Carolina GM Dan Morgan made a career at middle linebacker anticipating where ballcarriers were headed, and with Thieneman seemingly a perfect fit for the Vikings picking at No. 18 overall (or the Bengals in this scenario), the Panthers might need to trade up to secure his services. The Lions have nine picks but only two of them in the top 117 selections. Carolina might offer their fourth-rounder (#119 overall) as fair compensation for Detroit to move down two spots.
NFL.com
14th (Trade) NFL Edge Akheem Mesidor, Missouri
PROJECTED TRADE WITH BALTIMORE RAVENS
Lance Zierlein—Carolina moves ahead of Tampa, New York and Detroit, three teams that need edge help, to grab a plug-and-play pass rusher with a deep bag of tricks and relentless motor.
CBS Sports
19th CBS - CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Josh Edwards—Carolina continues stockpiling defensive talent. After signing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd, the Panthers address the secondary with Aveion Terrell, who has the versatility to play inside or out.
ESPN
19th ESPN - OL Spencer Fano, Utah
Jordan Reid—Fano can play all five spots up front, and he could even fill in at center as a rookie prior to moving to another spot after his first season. He's light on his feet and plays with urgency.
The Athletic
19th The Athletic - S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
Bruce Feldman—Even though it added Jaelan Phillips in free agency after picking Nic Scourton last year, Carolina still could use another edge to crank up the defense GM Dan Morgan is looking for. But this big safety from the MAC is too good to pass up here. The 6-3 1/2, 202-pound McNeil-Warren ran a 4.52 40 at the combine after a third-team All-America season in which he became just the second Rocket in almost two decades to make the AP All-America teams (Quinyon Mitchell is the other).
McNeil-Warren made 77 tackles and had three forced fumbles and two interceptions. Rival coaches watched him on tape and were surprised why someone at a Power 4 conference wasn't able to lure him away from the MAC, but he did miss almost half of the 2024 season due to injury (though he still made 61 tackles).
"He is a freakshow," said an OC who played Toledo last year. "He was super rangy, super athletic, played downhill. Had the ball skills. He could close space so fast and didn't miss tackles. It's pretty cool that he didn't leave. I'm sure he had opportunities. You'd turn the tape and immediately could see, he's different. He just pops when you watch them on the tape. His athleticism and how smooth he was and how long he was, it all translated. He was the best kid we played all year and we played (a bunch of programs that at one point were ranked)."
CHARLOTTE — The NFL draft is less than a month away and the mock drafts are heating up. The Panthers pick 19th overall this year, which means there are dozens of possibilities to discuss over the final weeks.
Mock drafts have picked up now that the combine is over and pro days are beginning. Here are the latest projects for the Panthers from media outlets.
The Panthers have seven total selections this year, and you can see all of their picks here, and we'll keep you posted on all the latest at Panthers.com.
Fox Sports
17th (Trade) S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
Rob Rang—Carolina GM Dan Morgan made a career at middle linebacker anticipating where ballcarriers were headed, and with Thieneman seemingly a perfect fit for the Vikings picking at No. 18 overall (or the Bengals in this scenario), the Panthers might need to trade up to secure his services. The Lions have nine picks but only two of them in the top 117 selections. Carolina might offer their fourth-rounder (#119 overall) as fair compensation for Detroit to move down two spots.
NFL.com
14th (Trade) NFL Edge Akheem Mesidor, Missouri
PROJECTED TRADE WITH BALTIMORE RAVENS
Lance Zierlein—Carolina moves ahead of Tampa, New York and Detroit, three teams that need edge help, to grab a plug-and-play pass rusher with a deep bag of tricks and relentless motor.
CBS Sports
19th CBS - CB Avieon Terrell, Clemson
Josh Edwards—Carolina continues stockpiling defensive talent. After signing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd, the Panthers address the secondary with Aveion Terrell, who has the versatility to play inside or out.
ESPN
19th ESPN - OL Spencer Fano, Utah
Jordan Reid—Fano can play all five spots up front, and he could even fill in at center as a rookie prior to moving to another spot after his first season. He's light on his feet and plays with urgency.
The Athletic
19th The Athletic - S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo
Bruce Feldman—Even though it added Jaelan Phillips in free agency after picking Nic Scourton last year, Carolina still could use another edge to crank up the defense GM Dan Morgan is looking for. But this big safety from the MAC is too good to pass up here. The 6-3 1/2, 202-pound McNeil-Warren ran a 4.52 40 at the combine after a third-team All-America season in which he became just the second Rocket in almost two decades to make the AP All-America teams (Quinyon Mitchell is the other).
McNeil-Warren made 77 tackles and had three forced fumbles and two interceptions. Rival coaches watched him on tape and were surprised why someone at a Power 4 conference wasn't able to lure him away from the MAC, but he did miss almost half of the 2024 season due to injury (though he still made 61 tackles).
"He is a freakshow," said an OC who played Toledo last year. "He was super rangy, super athletic, played downhill. Had the ball skills. He could close space so fast and didn't miss tackles. It's pretty cool that he didn't leave. I'm sure he had opportunities. You'd turn the tape and immediately could see, he's different. He just pops when you watch them on the tape. His athleticism and how smooth he was and how long he was, it all translated. He was the best kid we played all year and we played (a bunch of programs that at one point were ranked)."
This post was last modified: 04-04-2026, 01:07 PM by PantherFan007.