Wait, didn't everyone say this team was out of assets?
If you follow the Panthers, you know the vibe. It’s been a rough few years of "giving away the farm" for quarterbacks and trading up for potential stars who didn't always pan out. But as we look at the Carolina Panthers 2026 draft picks, the cupboard isn't nearly as bare as the doomsday callers on Twitter would have you believe. In fact, for the first time in what feels like a decade, Dan Morgan has actually kept the checkbook relatively balanced.
Carolina is sitting on a surprisingly standard slate of picks. They haven't set the world on fire with extra first-rounders, but they haven't mortgaged the future either.
The Current State of Carolina Panthers 2026 Draft Picks
Right now, the Panthers are slated to pick at No. 19 overall.
That number is a bit of a bittersweet pill for the fan base. On one hand, it’s not a top-five pick, which usually means the team didn't completely bottom out (a win for the culture). On the other hand, the Panthers just finished an 8-9 season that ended with a Wild Card loss to the Rams. Being stuck in the middle of the pack is the "NFL Purgatory" every GM fears, but it’s where Carolina finds itself.
Honestly, having seven picks is a luxury compared to where this team was two years ago. Here is how the board looks right now:
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- Round 1: Own Pick (No. 19)
- Round 2: Own Pick
- Round 3: Own Pick
- Round 4: Own Pick
- Round 5: Own Pick
- Round 5: via Minnesota Vikings (The Adam Thielen Trade)
- Round 6: Own Pick
You’ll notice the 7th rounder is missing. That went to Minnesota in the deal that sent veteran Adam Thielen back to the North. In exchange, the Panthers actually upgraded their 2026 outlook by snagging that extra 5th-round selection. It’s a small move, sure, but it’s the kind of "asset management" that Dan Morgan and Brandt Tilis have prioritized to clean up the mess left by the previous regime.
Why the No. 19 Pick is the Pivot Point
A lot of experts—the PFF crowd and the guys over at Cat Crave—are already hammering the table for a defensive makeover.
It makes sense. Even with Nic Scourton (the 2025 second-round steal) and Princely Umanmielen showing flashes of brilliance this past season, the pass rush still feels... thin. The Panthers had one of the worst PFF pass-rushing grades in the league this year. You can’t survive in the NFC South if you’re giving quarterbacks three seconds of "me time" in the pocket.
The Defensive Line Obsession
Names like Cashius Howell (Texas A&M) and T.J. Parker (Clemson) are already being linked to that 19th spot. Howell, specifically, has that "twitch" the Panthers have lacked since Brian Burns left. He tied for the fourth-most sacks in college football last year. Imagine pairing him with Scourton. It would finally give Ejiro Evero the tools to run his system without having to blitz his secondary into oblivion.
But there is another camp. Some people think the Carolina Panthers 2026 draft picks should be used to double down on the offense.
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The Playmaker Problem
Yes, Tetairoa McMillan arrived last year and looked like a bona fide WR1. Jalen Coker has been a pleasant surprise too. But Bryce Young—whose 2027 option was just exercised—needs a complete arsenal. If a guy like Makai Lemon from USC is sitting there at 19, do you pass up the best route-runner in the class just to grab an edge rusher?
It’s the classic "Best Player Available" versus "Positional Need" debate. Honestly, the Panthers need both.
The Thielen Trade: A Rare Win-Win?
Let’s talk about that 5th-round pick from Minnesota.
When the trade went down in August 2025, some fans were annoyed to see Thielen go. He was the "safety blanket." But looking back, it was a savvy move. Thielen struggled in Minnesota, eventually getting waived and landing in Pittsburgh. Meanwhile, Carolina netted an extra pick in the middle rounds of 2026 and a 2027 4th-rounder.
In the modern NFL, these middle-round picks are the lifeblood of a roster. They are the cheap rookie contracts that allow you to pay guys like Derrick Brown and Jaycee Horn. Without them, your cap explodes.
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Misconceptions About the 2026 Class
Most people think the 2026 draft is "weak" because of the NIL era keeping players in school longer. That’s a myth.
What’s actually happening is the talent is becoming more concentrated. Because players can stay an extra year and get paid, the "seniors" entering the 2026 draft are more pro-ready than the 20-year-olds we saw five years ago. For a team like Carolina, which is trying to transition from "rebuilding" to "contending," drafting a 23-year-old defensive tackle who can play 40 snaps a game immediately is better than drafting a "project."
What Needs to Happen Next
The Panthers are in a position where they don't have to trade up.
That is the biggest takeaway. For the first time in a while, they can let the board come to them. If a quarterback-needy team wants to jump into the late teens to grab a falling prospect, Dan Morgan could potentially trade back from 19, pick up an extra second-rounder, and still get a high-quality starter at 25 or 28.
Actionable Strategy for the 2026 Offseason:
- Prioritize the Trenches: Whether it's Kayden McDonald (Ohio State) to plug the middle next to Derrick Brown or a premiere Edge, the first two picks must be defensive front-seven players.
- Internal Scouting: Use the early part of the 2026 offseason to evaluate the "reserve/future" signings like Anthony Tyus III and Ainias Smith. If these guys show they can be legitimate depth, it frees up the 5th and 6th rounders to take "athletic flyers" rather than "need-based" picks.
- The Bryce Young Factor: Since his 2027 option is picked up, the 2026 draft is the final window to build a "low-cost" wall around him before his cap hit becomes a monster.
The Carolina Panthers 2026 draft picks represent more than just new players; they represent the first year of a "normal" draft cycle for a franchise that has been anything but normal lately. Keep an eye on the compensatory pick formula as well—while Carolina wasn't a huge player in the 2025 free agency exit market, there's always a chance for a late-round addition if the numbers shake out.
The road to the 2026 Draft in Pittsburgh starts now. At pick 19, the Panthers aren't just looking for a player; they're looking for the final piece of a puzzle that has been missing for years.