The Panthers have gotten better this offseason. But there’s still work to be done.
Later this month, the Panthers will have seven picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. They’ll also have the opportunity to add a few more undrafted rookies to the mix as well.
Carolina does have some remaining needs, and with the selection process just around the corner, The Charlotte Observer decided to go back to the drawing board.
Here is our latest Panthers-only mock draft:
Round 1
19th overall: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Previous mock draft pick: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
If Panthers head coach Dave Canales wants an immediate impact player in the first round of the draft, he should look no further than Thieneman.
The Panthers can afford to upgrade over the recently retained Nick Scott, and Thieneman would be an excellent piece next to Tre’von Moehrig on the back end of the defense. Three-safety looks with Moehrig, Thieneman and Lathan Ransom would have a bit more range, as the Oregon defensive back has coverage ability that eludes the current depth chart at the position.
Oregon Ducks safety Dillon Thieneman participates in the 40-yard dash during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2026 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) Stacy Revere Getty Images
The 6-foot, 201-pound safety split his college career between two years at Purdue and a final season at Oregon. He collected eight interceptions and 14 pass breakups during his three years at the college level. He also had a pair of forced fumbles and 10 tackles for loss.
In Indianapolis, Thieneman ran a scorching 4.35-second 40-yard dash. He also had an impressive 10-foot-5 broad jump. NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein compares him to New York Giants safety Jevon Holland.
Round 2
51st overall: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
Previous pick: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
The Panthers are self-aware when it comes to the wide receiver position. While Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker clearly impressed last season, there’s still something missing in the Panthers’ aerial attack.
The team brought in John Metchie, a yards-after-catch (YAC) weapon, in free agency, but they’d probably like to upgrade the third starting spot with someone who can make up for where 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette has come up short over the past two years.
Bernard is a quick, versatile receiver who can be used all over the field. The 6-foot, 206-pound playmaker can work on the outside and in the slot, and he’s shown the ability to produce YAC with regularity. Rotating Bernard and Coker inside and outside, opposite McMillan, could create some mismatches in coverage and allow quarterback Bryce Young to spread the ball around even further.
Bernard’s route-running prowess and quickness (4.48-second 40-yard dash) are intriguing. His explosiveness (10-foot-5 broad jump) and change-of-direction skills (6.71-second 3-cone drill), matched with his production over the past two years at Alabama (114 catches for 1,656 yards and nine touchdowns), make him a smart potential addition for a team that loves drafting wideouts.
Round 3
83rd overall: Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State
Previous pick: Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
Despite signing Luke Fortner in free agency, the Panthers might not be done at the center position this offseason.
Hecht is an athletic, technique-driven lineman who could be a logical long-term starter in Brad Idzik’s offense. Hecht, listed as 6-foot-4 and 303 pounds, has impressive movement at the position (5.1-second 40-yard dash and a 1.76-second 10-yard split) and played in 42 games during his four-year college career at Kansas State.
The Panthers need to infuse cheap youth into the line, and having Fortner would allow Carolina to onboard Hecht at his own pace.
Kansas State center Sam Hecht participates in the 40-yard dash during the NFL combine on March 1, 2026, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Stacy Revere Getty Images
Round 4
119th overall: Kaleb Proctor, DE, Southeastern Louisiana
Previous pick: Logan Jones, C, Iowa
The Panthers find an A’Shawn Robinson replacement at the start of Day 3. While Proctor was a big fish in a smaller pond, his 16 career sacks and 26 total tackles for loss were impressive marks for an interior lineman.
Proctor has long arms (33 inches), and his 6-foot-2, 291-pound frame should fit in well in multiple spots along the defensive front. Proctor would be a nice complement for Derrick Brown and Turk Wharton in third-down packages. He’d also make sense on early downs as a “fastball” rusher opposite Derrick and Bobby Brown.
Proctor has uncanny burst at his size, having ran a 4.79-second 40-yard dash in Indianapolis. His 1.68-second 10-yard split on that run implies he can charge upfield in a hurry. His 33-inch vertical and 9-foot-5 broad jumps also imply he’s an explosive athlete. Add all that with his college production, and you have a small-school steal of a prospect.
Round 5
158th overall (via Minnesota): Kaleb Elarms-Orr, ILB, TCU
Previous pick: George Gumbs, OLB, Florida
Elarms-Orr might go higher in reality, but in using the Pro Football Focus mock draft simulator, the talented linebacker fell to this spot.
After splitting his college career between Cal and TCU, Elarms-Orr could enter the offseason program as competition for Trevin Wallace in the starting lineup, or at the very least, push Claudin Cherelus for the third linebacker spot.
In his final two college seasons, Elarms-Orr amassed 184 total tackles (15.5 for loss), six sacks and two pass breakups. That’s impressive production for the 6-foot-2, 234-pound defender.
159th overall: Josh Cuevas, TE, Alabama
Previous pick: Eric Rivers, WR, Georgia Tech
The Panthers could always use more splash on offense. With Young entering an all-important campaign at quarterback, the more weapons, the better for the playmaker.
Cuevas produced 53 catches for 629 yards and five touchdowns during his two-year run in Tuscaloosa. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound playmaker, who is from Los Angeles, could make sense as competition for Ja’Tavion Sanders and Mitchell Evans opposite Tommy Tremble this summer.
Like Evans last year, Cuevas has starter upside in the fifth round.
Alabama tight end Josh Cuevas runs with the ball while being tackled by Indiana defender Louis Moore during their College Football Playoff game on Jan. 1, 2026, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. Sean M. Haffey Getty Images
Round 6
200th overall: Hezekiah Masses, CB, California
Previous pick: Luke Altmyer, QB, Illinois
The Panthers should feel pretty good about their immediate cornerback depth chart heading into 2026. With Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson on the outside, and Chau Smith-Wade and Corey Thornton available for nickel looks, the unit runs at least four deep. They also brought back Akayleb Evans and Robert Rochell in free agency.
Still, spending a late-round pick on a cornerback with size isn’t a bad idea. At 6-foot-1 and 179 pounds, Masses is a long, lanky (31-inch arms) defensive back with 42 college starts, between Cal and Florida International. He’s coming off a five-interception season, and he had eight over his four-year college career.
Mike Kaye
The Charlotte Observer
Mike Kaye writes about the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer. He also co-hosts “Processing Blue: A Panthers Podcast” for The Observer. Kaye’s work in columns/analysis and sports feature writing has been honored by the North Carolina Press Association (NCPA). His reporting has also received recognition from the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).Kaye previously covered the entire NFL for Pro Football Network, the Philadelphia Eagles for NJ Advance Media and the Jacksonville Jaguars for First Coast News. Support my work with a digital subscription
