Panthers 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Dan Morgan makes aggressive additions to help Carolina take the next step as a franchise
Carolina Panthers add an impact player to the second level of the defense in latest mock draft.
The Carolina Panthers exceeded expectations in 2025 after winning the NFC South title and giving the Los Angeles Rams a worthy battle during the first round of the playoffs.
As good of a season as it was for the Panthers, no one is complacent in that organization and it’s a message that was shared by general manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales.
This team finally got a taste of the playoffs and now the organization is primed to make some aggressive splashes to build even more off that level of success. Here’s what some of those splashes could look like in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Panthers 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 19 – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
Sonny Styles is one of the top defensive prospects in the class and the exact kind of player the Panthers need to add to take the defense to the next level. Linebacker was a major concern for the Panthers and with Christian Rozeboom set to depart in free agency, the Panthers would be wise to find a true impact player to replace him. Styles can be that, and more, for Carolina.
Round 2, Pick 51 – Caleb Tiernan, OT, Northwestern
The injury to Ickey Ekwonu pushes the need for an immediate left tackle up the board and landing a prospect like Caleb Tiernan gives the Panthers a two-for-one special. Tiernan has the skills to be an immediate starter at tackle but also has the ability to kick over and be a guard. For a team that struggled with injuries to the offensive line, Tiernan gives you a lot to work with and a safe prospect worth investing a high draft pick in.
Round 3, Pick 83 – Zachariah Branch, WR, Georgia
Panthers fans might be tired of adding more and more wide receivers, but this is a position Morgan specifically mentioned and keyed in on the idea of adding someone who could add more YAC and explosiveness to the offense. Zachariah Branch ranked fourth among all FBS WRs with 634 yards after catch and gives Carolina a solid No. 3 option behind Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker.
Round 4, Pick 119 – Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
The Panthers made the justified decision to pick up Bryce Young’s fifth-year option for the 2027 season, but that didn’t stop the team’s general manager from bringing up how the quarterback position could be improved behind the team’s young starter. Morgan said he wanted a young QB that can extend with his legs to develop. Cade Klubnik might be the best option in the draft to fit that role without using a top draft pick and can keep him in the Carolinas.
Round 5, Pick 156 – Pat Coogan, C, Indiana
After taking a left tackle with guard flexibility earlier in this mock, addressing the center position is another direction I could see this team going. Austin Corbett, Cade Mays, and Brady Christensen are all free agents and I can see the Panthers only being able to bring back two of those players. If that’s the case, investing in another center on Day 3 could make sense and Pat Coogan is a highly regarded player who offers his own guard flexibility as well.
Round 5, Pick 157 – Nadame Tucker, DE, Western Michigan
The other area Morgan referred to has “not acceptable” was the team’s pass rush this past season. While I believe the Panthers will go big game hunting to elevate that unit, adding a prospect who finished Top-5 in the FBS in sacks and total pressures on Day 3 can certainly help things.
Round 6, Pick 198 – Bud Clark, S, TCU
The last remaining hole on the Panthers defense would be finding a free safety replacement for Nick Scott. Bud Clark has 15 career interceptions and 20 pass breakups during his six seasons at TCU. Not only is he a ballhawk, he can matchup with NFL-caliber tight ends as well in coverage, a position the Panthers struggled to defend last season.
Round 7, Pick 235 – Tyreek Chappell, CB, Texas A&M
The Panthers have two cornerbacks set to depart in free agency and with five cornerbacks total under contract for 2026. A solid late round swing to add some the depth position can be found in a guy like Tyreek Chappell. He has four years of starting experience in the SEC and can start his career in a rotation while playing some special teams.
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