Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan spoke with the media on Tuesday ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft next week and shared more insight on the team’s draft plans starting with the 19th overall pick in the first-round.

The Panthers are heavily rumored to draft another pass catcher to add to the offense next Thursday on the opening night of the draft.

When asked about the possibility, Morgan shied away from giving any real answer and instead noted the team will be looking to draft the best player on the board. It usual GM-speak this time of year and it does have some truth to it considering how volatile the NFL Draft can be, especially when you don’t have a top pick.

Dan Morgan isn’t afraid to triple dip at WR for the third year in a row in the first-round

In each of the last two drafts, the Panthers used a first-round pick to select a wide receiver in Xavier Legette and Tetairoa McMillan. At the NFL Annual Meeting, head coach Dave Canales still listed the position as one the team will consider adding to for the third year in a row. Morgan agreed with that mindset.

“I wouldn’t hesitate to draft another wideout,” Morgan explained. “I don’t think there’s a rule that says you can’t draft a wide receiver three years in a row [in the first-round]. I’m not really going to box us in and say we’re not going to draft one.”

The last time a team drafted three consecutive first-round WRs was in 2003-2005 when the Detroit Lions drafted Charles Rogers, Roy Williams, and Mike Williams.

The Panthers have had multiple top wide receivers in the building on 30 visits including Texas A&M’s KC Concepcion, Indiana’s Omar Cooper Jr., and Washington’s Denzel Boston. USC’s Makai Lemon and Arizona State’s Jordan Tyson are also first-round WR options to consider.

Dan Morgan likes the depth in the TE class and what the team currently has on the roster

While the team has met with multiple top WR prospects, the Panthers continue to be heavily linked to Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq. The Panthers have not had a confirmed visit with Sadiq, but have met with other tight ends expected to go outside of the first-round such as Georgia’s Oscar Delp and Ole Miss’ Dae’Quan Wright.

“I think there’s a couple guys that are talented guys,” Morgan said. “I do think there’s some depth in the later rounds as well. Again, if they’re the best player at a certain point, we wouldn’t hesitate.”

Looking at the roster, the Panthers currently have six tight ends in Tommy Tremble, Ja’Tavion Sanders, Mitchell Evans, Feleipe Franks, James Mitchell, and Bryce Pierre.

“I feel good about our tight end room,” Morgan added. “There’s a lot of guys in that room that are still developing and there’s guys that have been here and we know who they are and they bring a skill set that we really like.”

This isn’t to rule out Sadiq as an option. It just goes to show the Panthers have multiple tight end prospects to consider. The NFL Draft is never going to line up perfect and NFL general managers are never going to be crystal clear. However, Morgan believes the Panthers are in a great spot going into the draft to land an impact starter at pick No. 19 and it’s likely that player is a pass catcher of some sort.