Dave Canales takes a strong stance on the Panthers’ process with the 19th overall pick while listing the top target positions
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales knows what kind of player he’s looking for in the first-round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
After a spending spree in free agency, the Carolina Panthers head into the 2026 NFL Draft with plenty of flexibility but it’s still uncharted territory with the 19th overall pick.
Under the leadership of general manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales, the Panthers have had two first-round picks and both selections were used on a wide receiver in Xavier Legette (32nd overall pick in 2024) and Tetairoa McMillan (8th overall pick in 2025).
Armed with the 19th overall pick, the Panthers have a few different options to consider with their next first-round selection, and Canales already has a strong stance on the decision.
“I don’t believe in drafting for depth,” Canales said at the NFL Annual Meeting, via Joe Person.
Dave Canales already has an idea on what players the Panthers will target in the first-round
That may seem like a no-brainer answer from Canales. However, that answer already eliminates a few positions, including a recently mocked player that ESPN’s Matt Miller shared hours before by having the Panthers select Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane.
“The Panthers have two highly paid guards in Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt, but they will be entering their age-29 and age-30 seasons, respectively. So there’s a future need there, plus an immediate need at center,” Miller wrote. “Ioane played left guard, center and right guard in college and has the power to be an effective run blocker at any position. Ioane sought to play with better movement and conditioning in 2025, and his stock soared because of it. The Panthers could rebuild their offensive line around him and left tackle Ikem Ekwonu.”
Guard or center, given the current roster, would be a depth addition for the Panthers. The same goes for a running back, cornerback, and possibly even another linebacker. So, what positions will the Panthers target? Here’s the positions Canales revealed: WR, TE, S and others.
Going the wide receiver route for the third year in a row with the first-round pick would be a surprise, especially considering the team also has Jalen Coker in the mix. However, never say never. Prospects such as KC Concepcion, Jordyn Tyson, and Makai Lemon can’t fully be ruled out as options if they’re still on the board when the Panthers are on the clock.
As for tight end, the obvious choice would be Kenyon Sadiq, the latest first-round freak of an athlete at the position. After facing Kyle Pitts in the division, the Panthers are aware what kind of damage an athletic tight end can bring and Sadiq has been a popular mock draft target for Carolina.
Safety is the intriguing one. Carolina re-signed Nick Scott to pair back with Tre’von Moehrig but the team could explore another versatile safety such as Dillon Thieneman to upgrade the secondary.
A lot of options are on the table for the Panthers and Canales’ latest comments are starting to narrow down the possibilities for the 19th overall pick.
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