Panthers can go ahead and rule out another top WR prospect as a potential option with the 19th overall pick after latest report
The Carolina Panthers are keeping their eye on top wide receiver prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft and a second name is now unlikely to be on the board when the 19th overall pick comes up.
The Carolina Panthers have multiple options to consider with the 19th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and set themselves up nicely with the work the front office did in free agency to address major roster needs.
The closer we get to draft night, the more likely it seems that the Panthers will use their first-round selection to add another offensive weapon for quarterback Bryce Young. Head coach Dave Canales mentioned tight end and wide receiver among the potential positions the team will look to target.
Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq remains a favorite selection among mock drafts around the industry. But, I’m more convinced the team will draft a first-round WR for the third year in a row and the team has a few different receivers to consider. However, one name might not be an option anymore.
USC wide receiver Makai Lemon getting heavy interest with 30-visits from multiple Top-20 teams
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, USC wide receiver Makai Lemon has had a 30-visit or an upcoming visit with the following teams: Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, New York Jets, and Washington Commanders. Lemon also previously visited with the Cleveland Browns and Tennessee Titans with the Los Angeles Rams and New Orleans Saints as potential teams to watch as well.
What do all of those teams have in common? They all pick before the Carolina Panthers.
With that kind of interest, you can go ahead and cross Lemon’s name off the board as a potential option for the Panthers with the 19th overall pick. Which now means you can rule out two WR targets for Carolina considering Carnell Tate is a Top-10 lock.
Even still, the Panthers should be in a solid spot to come away with a top wide receiver with Jordyn Tyson, KC Concepcion, and Omar Cooper Jr. being viable options. I think Concepcion is the perfect fit for the Panthers offense but the team did line up a visit with Cooper following the Indiana Por Day last week.
If the Panthers indeed go the WR route in the first-round yet again, you can guarantee one of those three players will be on the board when the Panthers are on the clock. The question will be whether or not Sadiq, or a safety like Dillon Thieneman, is on the board as well to sway Carolina away from drafting another wide receiver in the first-round.
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