Carolina Panthers give Bryce Young one more chance, and completely overhaul defense in latest 7-round 2026 NFL mock draft
The Carolina Panthers are in a difficult spot from a roster perspective. They need to add more impact players, and that was the priority in latest mock draft.
The Carolina Panthers are in a very strange situation right now, and they had some slight hype going into their second year under head coach Dave Canales. So far in 2025, we have seen a lot of the same story, a bad football team that lacks talent on this roster. The conversations will center around quarterback Bryce Young, but he is far from the whole problem. This is an overall talent issue.
In the latest 2026 seven-round NFL mock draft, the board did not fall well to figure out a quarterback answer. That fix might have to come via the veteran market if they do decide to make a change behind center. Without that signal caller answer being found, adding as many difference makers as possible to the roster should be the top priority.
Round 1, Pick 12: Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State
While all the focus will be on figuring out the quarterback position for the Panthers, the defense is also a massive problem, and this team needs to find some difference makers. With how the board fell, Downs became the best option to go with. Some will say that there’s no chance Downs is there at No. 12, but safeties always tend to fall a bit, allowing Carolina to find a strong voice on the back end.
Round 2, Pick 43: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
The Panthers also lack a difference maker at linebacker as well. For years, players like Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis were the heart and soul of the Carolina defense. They find their next standout in Allen, who is a throwback linebacker with modern range.
Round 3, Pick 74: Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State
Shelton is one of the more fluid athletes of any offensive tackle in the 2026 class. There is going to be a long-term decision that needs to be made about left tackle Ikem Ekwonu, and while Taylor Moton is signed for a couple of years, he’s aging quickly. The Penn State star has the ability to provide flexibility and options at multiple spots.
Round 4, Pick 109: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
Barring something unforeseen, there is a good chance that Stowers goes a bit higher than this, but you have to scoop him up if he is still on the board. A former highly ranked quarterback recruit for the Texas A&M Aggies, Stowers has morphed into a dynamic tight end for New Mexico State and Vanderbilt. He is a smaller tight end, so utilizing him as a flex option is his best outlook, but Stowers is a mismatch weapon in that role.
Round 5, Pick 147: Anthony Smith, EDGE, Minnesota
A bigger EDGE at around 285 pounds, Smith is scheme diverse and can play in several different alignments and systems. Power is the name of the game for Smith, but he also has good overall movement skills. There is a lot to like here with the Golden Gopher standout.
Round 5, Pick 159: Jaeden Roberts, OG, Alabama
When Roberts is technically proficient and consistent, he is a dominant run blocker. The problem is that he has been way too volatile and has also struggled with durability at times as well. Roberts does still have some developmental potential.
Round 6, Pick 190: Lee Hunter, DT, Auburn
At around 6-4 and 330 pounds, Hunter is a massive interior presence that makes his living on early downs. His consistency is still a major work in progress, but there are certainly things to work with. Getting Hunter in better shape will be a priority.
Round 7, Pick 233: Miller Moss, QB, Louisville
Moss isn’t, and shouldn’t be considered a potential starting option down the road, but he does have the mental makeup and accuracy to potentially earn a backup role. At this point in the draft, that’s all you can really hope for.
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