NOT A REAL MOCK — A “MOCK” MOCK… -- OK IT'S REAL NOW.!!

I’ve been thinking about the Draft. Since we went crazy in FA, my Draft thoughts have changed some.

So how about this — Let’s take a look at the Panthers picks by position round by round. Don’t have to name the players (you can if you want..), just name the position for each pick.

1st - TE *** (This is a change for me)
2nd - OT 
3rd - SAFETY
4th - ILB
5th - QB
5th - DL/OLB
6th - WR

In my mind some of these could switch around a little. The Safety could be a CB ( inside.. to play Nickel..??), the ILB could go in the 3rd, the QB could go in the 4th, the WR could go in place of the TE … ad infinitum.

If you get the idea I don’t know what I’m talking about — you’d probably be right.!!

So hold forth…. Tell us what you think…….

Based on April 2026 reports and mock drafts, the Carolina Panthers are heavily considering drafting a safety, edge rusher, or tight end with the 19th overall pick to provide immediate impact.

Top targets often mentioned include Oregon SAFETY Dillon Thieneman, EDGE Akheem Mesidor, or TE Kenyon Sadiq. 

Key 2026 Draft Considerations:

Safety Priority: Oregon's Dillon Thieneman is high on the radar to fix the secondary, with some mocks suggesting the team might trade up to secure him.

Defensive Front: Edge rusher Akheem Mesidor (Missouri) is another frequently projected target to bolster the pass rush.

Offensive Weaponry: While they drafted WR Tetairoa McMillan last year, tight end (e.g., Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon) is considered a potential luxury/impact pick at 19. 

Draft Strategy: GM Dan Morgan is expected to target players who can contribute immediately, rather than just building depth, aiming for high-end talent.

Mock drafts are all over the place.  I have seen a few which have the Panthers drafting a WR at 19.  The team has been scouting a few of the top WR's and bringing in for visits....but this is also smoke screen season.  Can't believe anything.

Hobs your guess is as good as any.  Just depends on who is still there.  If Dan is in love with someone...we know he will go get him.

Here goes. (If no trades…and I think there most likely will be).

1. 19th Caleb Lomu OT
2. 51st Caleb Banks DL
3. 83rd Jacob Rodriguez LB
4. 119. Malik Muhammad CB
5. 158. Haynes King QB
5. 159. Joe Royer TE
6. 200. Aamil Wagoner OT

Not a lot of mocks this year… well none actually other than mine? Any thoughts on juat the first couple rounds or so if no full on mocks out there?

Here goes. (If no trades…and I think there most likely will be).

1. 19th Caleb Lomu OT 
2. 51st Caleb Banks DL -- Would LOVE this pick if he's still there
3. 83rd Jacob Rodriguez LB -- Gone (probably)..??
4. 119.  Malik Muhammad CB 
5. 158. Haynes King QB -- Don't know what to say here.. Consensus has him as UDFA
5. 159.  Joe Royer TE 
6. 200.  Aamil Wagoner OT -- So TWO OTs.?? Not a bad idea, I like it

Hmmm ... I guess I'll figure something out here. This is Monday. I'll post something here later tonight.

Since FIRST decided to make this a real "MOCK" thread -- I'll put something out there.... just because.

So first things first.  Here is a list of my Top 20 players for this draft. Since we pick at #19, I don't expect many of these to be available...although there are always some surprises.

So, in no particular order here's my Top 20.  This is NOT the draft order, just a list....

Jeremiyah Love - RB - Notre Dame
David Bailey - EDGE - Texas Tech
Arvell Reese - LB - Ohio State
Fernando Mendoza - QB - Indiana
Sonny Styles - LB - Ohio State
Francis Mauigoa - OT - Miama FL
Reuben Bain - EDGE - Miami FL
Caleb Downs - S - Ohio State
Carnell Tate - WR - Ohio State
Spencer Fano - OT - Utah
Mansoor Delane - CB - LSU
Jermod McCoy - CB - Tennessee
Makai Lemon - WR - USC
Monroe Freeling - OT - Georgia
Jordyn Tyson - WR - Arizona State
Dillon Thieneman - S - Oregon
Olaivavega Ione - IOL - Penn State.!!
Kenyon Sadiq - TE - Oregon
Kadyn Proctor - OT - Alabama
Kendrick Faulk - EDGE - Auburn

I pulled these guys after watching some video and referring to three big boards. There's several here that I was NOT aware of.  I just noticed.!!
 I have FOUR players from Ohio State in the TOP 20.!!  That's crazy.!!

So theoretically .... The Panthers #19 pick SHOULD be in this list. Of course, no one knows what the Panthers board looks like. Since there are 20 players on my list, and we pick at #19, there WILL be at least two (2) of these guys available when we pick and probably a couple more than that. Some teams will pick for need and their choices will be somewhere below this list. So, my guess is, there will be somewhere between two and five of these guys will be available.  Which ones will be available.?? AND which ONE will be the Best player available.??  Here is where we need to see into Dan's mind.!!

There is a lot of guessing here.  

AND, I believe there will be some trades and the Panthers could be involved.  If the Panthers do some trading -- a lot of this will make no sense..!!

BUT, here are my WAGs (Wild Ass Guesses).


#19 - OT - Kadyn Proctor, Alabama
#51 - S - A.J. Haulcy, LSU
#83 - LB - Jake Golday, Cincinnati
#119 - IOL/C - Jake Slaughter, Florida
#158 - QB - Cole Payton, N.D. State
#159 - DL/T/EDGE - Caden Curry, Ohio State
#200 - WR - Malik Benson, Oregon  ---  Could also be a TE here. (I just don't think we need another WR or TE early in the draft).


A couple of things here... I think both Sadiq and Thieneman will be off the board at #19. No reason to put them on here. HOWEVER ... If Thieneman is available, I would take him #19 and pickup an OT in the 2nd. The rest of these guys I'm pretty happy with, but Cole Payton is left-handed. If THAT makes a difference to Dan then Payton will probably not even be considered. I figured that if we reset our O-Line, especially the Tackles (which we WILL have to do soon..), then a lefty QB can be managed with no problem. Actually, it shouldn't make a difference anyway...IMO.