Panthers are showing their hand after scheduling a visit with a fast-rising offensive weapon who could be a first-round option
The Carolina Panthers have scheduled a 30 visit with one of the top wide receiver prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft following his Pro Day.
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales spoke with reporters earlier this week at the NFL Annual Meeting and briefly spoke about the team’s plans for the kind of player they hope to land with the 19th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
“At this point, with the 19th pick, we really have an opportunity to bring a player in that can help us immediately. Who’s that going to be?” Canales explained. “Of course, Dan (Morgan), Brandt (Tilis), and myself will always say we want to take the best available player. That’s what we did last year. When we looked at who was available at that spot at eight, [Tetairoa McMillan] was the best player. And so we were able to do that.”
While elaborating further, Canales floated three possible positions in wide receiver, tight end, and safety as potential spots to land an impact player. Tight end and safety have been highly connected positions with many experts linking the Panthers to Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq and S Dillon Thieneman. Canales mentioning WR as well is intriguing.
Carolina has selected a first-round WR in each of the last two drafts, in McMillan and Xavier Legette. If the Panthers go that route again, they’ll be the first team since the Detroit Lions to draft a first-round WR in three consecutive drafts (Charles Rogers in 2003, Roy Williams in 2004, and Mike Williams in 2005). It’s certainly a viable path for the Panthers and they’re already showing their hand after their latest scheduled 30 visit.
Carolina Panthers set to host Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. on a 30 visit
According to ESPN’s Jordan Reid, the Panthers are lining up a visit with Indiana wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. following his Pro Day on Wednesday. Reid added the team has done a lot of work on wide receivers and Cooper could be a first-round option.
Depending on how the board shakes out, multiple wide receivers could be available for the Panthers. In my latest seven-round mock draft using the new A to Z Sports Mock Draft Simulator, I had the Panthers selecting Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion. Arizona State’s Jordyn Tyson and USC’s Makai Lemon are also potential options.
Cooper has been a fast-rising name throughout the pre-draft process and the consensus now stands that he will be selected within the Top-32 picks. According to the A to Z Sports Mock Draft Database, Cooper has an average draft position of 32.13 and the highest he’s been selected in our company mock drafts has been eighth overall.
“Omar Cooper, out of Indiana, isn’t getting talked about enough,” an AFC scout told A to Z Sports’ Destin Adams. “He has one of the most complete skill sets of any WR in this year’s class. I think he can be a day one starter for a lot of teams and has the ability to fit multiple different molds teams could be looking to add in the draft.”
Cooper’s positional versatility will be very appealing to an offensive coach like Canales and can allow him to play anywhere alongside McMillan and Legette. He’s also a physical player after the catch and when it comes to blocking.
The Panthers are starting to do their due diligence on the top WRs in the class, and Cooper is a great first name to bring in on an in-person visit.
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