raleigh-panther

here are the first 4 rds. I left out rds 4 to 7 1st Rd 19th overall: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon Previous mock draft pick: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia 2nd Rd 51st overall: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama Previous pick: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt 3rd Rd 83rd overall: Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State Previous pick: Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh 4th Rd 119th overall: Kaleb Proctor, DE, Southeastern Louisiana Previous pick: Logan Jones, C, Iowa

Either does Tillis the term used is ‘ascending’ all we know is he is here this year and 2027 because there isn’t much here in the draft or free agency that is better. things can change of course one thing about….not many small QBs starting now…not sure what Kyler will do in Minneapolis. …so not sure Tillis wants to get tied to a massive contract to the little fella

It is in the Athletic…paywall. I subscribe to it i can look up something if you want me too

Hard to tell,how this will go …not who I would like either we all know OT is a premium position Not sure any will be there at 19 or what is there, it worth it we also know we have line injuries and lack of depth at Guard and LT and an older RT player who has started to miss time at the Tackle position. We also have a top,paid guard coming off injuries and a contract that is huge …oh yeah, we have a little fella at qb

all offense. OT. TE. G. in rd 1 to 3 Rd 1 19. Carolina Panthers: Blake Miller, OT, Clemson OFFENSIVE TACKLE 6Grade: 1st–2nd rd. Blake Miller Clemson Has the physical traits, football IQ and toughness that NFL teams will bet on every time. A former high-level wrestler, four-year starter and team captain, Miller plays with great consistency and has the football IQ to make up for his penchant for playing tall. He may never dominate, but he could start for a decade. Overview Hometown: Strongsville, OH Birthday: February 25, 2004 Age: 22.2 Jersey: No. 78 High School: Strongsville Year: Fourth-year senior A four-year starter at Clemson, Miller was a mainstay at right tackle in former offensive coordinator Garrett Riley’s balanced gap/zone scheme. Highly recruited out of the Cleveland area, he earned a starting job from day one at Clemson and was a model of consistency for a mostly inconsistent college offense. He started all 54 games the past four seasons (most consecutive starts by a non-specialist in school history) and set the Clemson record for career offensive snaps played (3,778). Miller has a good mix of on-field talent and intangibles. In pass protection, he is quick off the ball, with the range to mirror rushers up the arc and a surprisingly sturdy anchor to answer different types of rushers. Miller also shows his foot quickness and physical demeanor to move bodies in the run game. He isn’t a great bender, though, and savvy NFL rushers will find some success using his aggressive techniques against him. His coaches rave about his smarts and football character (NFL scout: “I think he missed one practice in four years. The thought of letting down his coaches and teammates kills him.”). Dane’s takeawa Miller has an upright play style that could lead to issues vs. NFL competition, but he has the type of profile (physical traits, football IQ, competitive toughness) that teams will bet on every time. He should compete for a starting right tackle role as a rookie Combine stats Hover any column header to see its definition. STAT HT WT HAND ARM WING BP 10 20 40 VJ BJ SS 3C Combine 6′63/4 317 93/4 341/4 837/8 32 1.75 2.92 5.04 32 9′5 DNP DNP Pro Day 6′65/8 318 93/4 343/8 823/4 DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP 4.65 7.75 Note: Combine: Limited workout (choice). Strengths Prototypical size — broad shoulders, outstanding arm length and athletic build Urgent in his setup and the way he operates (Duke edge rusher Wesley Williams said Miller was the best blocker he faced in 2025) Sets with a wide, sturdy base to withstand bull rushers down his middle Quick to respond and find balance after first contact in pass pro Has play strength to press rushers off him and keep them at bay Thudding, decisive hands as a run blocker; able to generate movement on drive blocks Shows off athleticism as a puller and on the move Voted a senior captain; member of the leadership council (NFL scout: “Love his focused mindset. Doesn’t cheat himself or his teammates.”) Remarkable toughness and consistently plays through bumps and bruises (broken wrist during 2025 spring practices required surgery, but he missed only one practice) Weaknesses Upright posture and inconsistent technique in pass protection Delivers adequate pop but doesn’t have overwhelming power to create knockback Can be late to draw hands from holster, opening his chest to rushers Gets caught leaning; requires a half-beat to get back in position NFL rushers will find some success setting him up Would like to see better control on perimeter to make it harder on defenders to avoid him Almost all (96.5 percent) of college snaps came at right tackle — lingering questions about his position flex Rd 2 51. Carolina Panthers: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt Eli Stowers Vanderbilt A mismatch-creating, explosive pass-catcher who must show he can block at the NFL level. Overview Hometown: Denton, TX Birthday: April 15, 2003 Age: 23 Jersey: No. 9 High School: Guyer Year: Fifth-year senior A two-year starter at Vanderbilt (three-year starter overall), Stowers was a detached tight end (70.7 percent of snaps in the slot) in offensive coordinator Tim Beck’s run-heavy scheme. A highly recruited quarterback out of high school, Stowers began at Texas A&M and then New Mexico State but suffered multiple shoulder injuries, which forced him to change positions (Stowers: “I could never throw the same.”). With Diego Pavia as his quarterback for that transition, Stowers’ receiving production improved each of the past three seasons, including 769 receiving yards in 2025, tops among FBS tight ends and earning him All-America honors and the Mackey Award. An above-average athlete for the position, Stowers attacks defenders’ techniques and uses his quickness to consistently win one-on-one on slants, digs or seam balls. Because of the quarterback and scheme at Vanderbilt, he was asked to use his burst for quick windows and is unproven in other areas, although he has the speed to be more of a deep threat in a pro-style scheme. He delivered mixed results when asked to attack in traffic, but he has reliable hands and fluid adjustment skills. As a blocker, he has questionable physicality and sustain strength but competes when sealing or walling off defenders. Dane’s takeaway Stowers will need to prove himself as a serviceable blocker at the NFL level, but he is explosive as a pass catcher, and I love the way he maximizes his catch radius. He has mismatch-creating potential and can eventually develop into an NFL starter. Combine stats Hover any column header to see its definition. Scroll right to see more metrics. STATHTWTHANDARMWINGBP102040VJBJSS3C Combine6′33/423993/4325/8793/4DNP1.592.624.51451/211′3DNPDNP Pro Day6′31/224291/2327/879DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP Note: Combine: Limited workout (choice). Strengths Broad-shouldered frame, with adequate bulk and room to add mass “Freaks List” athlete, which is reflected on the tape and in testing Graceful speed to attack down the seam or after the catch Fluid route runner who can sink and cut on command Quarterback background is an asset when reading coverages and finding windows Solid ball skills, especially for a former quarterback (3.9 percent career drop rate) Frequently widens catch radius to make proper adjustments and bail out his quarterback NFL scouts say he logs “countless hours” at the facility and wants to be coached “harder than the rest of the team” Team captain; driven attitude made him a leader at Vandy Led FBS tight ends in 2025 in receiving yards per game (64.1) Weaknesses Lean muscle structure — more linear body type than what some teams prefer Competes but has marginal play strength as a run blocker (21 percent of snaps came inline) Light in the pants and likely will never overwhelm defenders at point of attack Not consistently efficient blocking backside on the move Can do a better job selling route movements with his eyes/shoulders Want to see him be more aggressive finishing on the ball in traffic Durable after moving to tight end at Vandy but had two key injuries before that: injured right (throwing) shoulder in high school, then tore labrum during freshman year, which required postseason surgery (Jan. 2022); torn PCL and meniscus in left knee in 2019 state championship game, which required surgery (Jan. 2020). rd 3 83. Carolina Panthers: Jalen Farmer, G, Kentucky Jalen Farmer Kentucky An athletic boulder who projects as a starter in the right scheme. Overview Hometown: Covington, GA Birthday: January 6, 2004 Age: 22.3 Jersey: No. 52 High School: Eastside Year: Fourth-year junior A two-year starter at Kentucky, Farmer lined up at right guard in former offensive coordinator Bush Hamdan’s balanced scheme with gap-run principles. He struggled to see the field in two seasons in Gainesville, but he got in better shape after transferring to Lexington and things started to click. He started all 24 games at right guard the past two seasons and impressed during Senior Bowl week. Farmer has outstanding size, play strength and presence. Using his long arms and leg drive, he can fit up and dump defenders in the run game. He has a stout anchor and heavy punch in pass protection and is quick to replace his hands and recover when he’s initially beaten. His pad-level issues pop up more than you’d like, and the nasty flashes need to become more consistent. Dane’s takeaway Farmer is an athletic boulder in pass protection and a bulldozer as a run blocker. He should continue to ascend with pro coaching. He has NFL starting-caliber ability, especially if he lands with a team that specializes in a downhill, smash-mouth run game. ADVERTISEMENT Combine stats Hover any column header to see its definition. STATHTWTHANDARMWINGBP102040VJBJSS3C Combine6′47/831291/4341/4825/8DNP1.752.884.93279′0DNPDNP Pro DayDNP320DNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNPDNP Note: Combine: Limited workout (choice). Strengths Boasts an NFL body — broad chest, thick core and long arms Strong at the point and flashes a finishing demeanor Drives his legs in the run game to generate jarring power at contact Functional mobility to wall off defenders and execute pulls Stout as a pass blocker to gobble up bull rushers Can be caught leaning out front but recovery skills are impressive Forceful hands to put dents into defenders when he connects Flagged just once in 2025 (holding vs. Eastern Michigan) Served as a team captain in four games in 2025 (NFL scout: “Matured and took better care of his body after transferring.”) Started all 24 games the past two seasons Weaknesses Pops upright too often at the snap, with inconsistent sink Can be caught oversetting and crossed up by quickness Late with his hands — would like to see him tighten his carriage Tardy working through slow-developing pressures and games Can do better job refitting in the run game when he doesn’t initially establish leverage Inconsistencies redirecting and adjusting in space will be more noticeable vs. NFL athletes Position flexibility questions — 100 percent of college snaps came at right guard ADVERTISEMENT College stats Hover any column header to see its definition. YEARSCHOOLGPGSPOS 2022Florida20— 2023Florida20— 2024Kentucky1212RG 2025Kentucky1212RG 2022 Enrolled May 2022 2024 Enrolled January 2024 Background Jalen Farmer, who has a brother (Tristan), was born and raised in the Atlanta area by his mother (Kartella Fuller) and father (Shaun Farmer). While growing up in a football family, he was “always around” the game and had several cousins who played. Farmer started playing at age 7 and was a defensive lineman and linebacker before moving exclusively to the offensive line. Farmer enrolled at Eastside High School in Covington, Ga., which is the alma mater of NFL players Sheldon Rankins and Eric Stokes. He was a four-year letterman on varsity and started 11 games as a sophomore left guard in 2019. Farmer returned as the starting left guard as a junior in 2020 and helped Eastside to 10 wins. As a senior, he played left guard and defensive tackle and was named 2021 Class 5A Region 8 Lineman of the Year. Farmer posted 50 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks and one forced fumble as a senior, while adding a 1-yard rushing touchdown. He also lettered in track at Eastside, setting personal bests of 33 feet, 5 inches in the shot put and 61-4 in the discus. A three-star recruit, Farmer was the 31st-ranked interior offensive lineman in the 2022 class and the No. 73 recruit in Georgia. After he became a starter as a sophomore, he picked up his first scholarship offer the following spring, from Georgia Tech (May 2020). Before his senior season, Farmer added an offer from Florida and committed to former head coach Dan Mullen, who then was fired a few months later. In the weeks before signing day, Farmer received a late flurry of offers from Alabama, Auburn, Kentucky and Mississippi State. But thanks to a strong push from new Gators head coach Billy Napier, Farmer stayed committed to his first choice. He was the 13th-ranked recruit in Napier’s first class in Gainesville. After two seasons buried on the depth chart, Farmer entered the transfer portal in December 2023 and committed to Kentucky. He elected to skip his senior year and declare for the NFL Draft. Farmer accepted a late invite to the Senior Bowl. ADVERTISEMENT

yep Best ability is availability in the nfl I’m not big on “a’wishin and a’hopin “ that the player will be touched by Jesus for a sustainable nfl career if they can’t hold up in a shorter college season, how on earth can they hold up under 17 games a year and almost year rd training in the nfl there are plenty of good players without issues, pick one of them

Tyson has an injury history no. Just no. NO

Ill say this, DC playcalling, about 30% of the time did Young no favors He sees no blame in himself and there was plenty

He managed that because Cam drug him/them there i dont Know about Canales Time will tell, I guess He is no offensive genius, that’s for damned sure but the players respond to him and they cover his mistakes

Panthers 2026 offseason program schedule First day: April 20 OTA offseason workouts: May 26 to May 27, May 29, June 1 to June 2, June 4 Mandatory minicamp: June 9 to June 11

Rd 1. LT. Spencer Fano. Rd 2. LB. Rodriguez RD 3. C. Logan Jones https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/panthers/2026/04/02/nfl-draft-panthers-espn-mock-spencer-fano/89435240007/?link_source=ta_first_comment&taid=69cea0a318fdaa0001f55f4e&utm_campaign=trueanthem&utm_medium=trueanthem&utm_source=facebook&fbclid=IwZnRzaAQ7ra1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xNzM4NDc2NDI2NzAzNzAAAR6YlGrf8sDvv7QVWV682Qfk7s37whaBFWLAJGziID_Qn1YxRqzEqT2yz2190A_aem_YRMb5iXrGRuzq9KYieTYPA

First part, discussion on TEs we all feel as we feel about a TE in the first Panthers have needs of course I don’t think he will be there at 19 in any case Per them. Sadiq is a Offensive coordinator’s best friend. says he can do it all, including block Set up as WR, Hback, elite speed and quickness, red zone, screens, downfield Over midDle Then discussion on Ole Miss TE and Delp

In response to mailbag questions about drafting a center from Observer, Zietlow gives this infO From Alex The Panthers, after all, aren’t going to be as stacked with interior offensive linemen who can be converted into centers as they were last year. Cade Mays is already gone to Detroit. Austin Corbett moved on to Buffalo. Brady Christensen might still come back, but his future is murky too … and he ruptured his Achilles five months ago. Keylan Rutledge. The guard out of Georgia Tech has received high marks in the pre-draft process, and if he drops to the Panthers at No. 51 somehow, they should take him. He worked at guard and center during the 2026 Senior Bowl. Jake Slaughter. The 6-foot-5, 303-pound center out of Florida really impressed at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, notably with a 5.1-second 40-yard dash time. He’s a center by trade, and coach Dave Canales likes athletic centers who can get to the second level of the defense. Slaughter is projected to be a third- or fourth-round pick. Billy Schrauth. Another draft, another Notre Dame draft pick?At least, it’s possible with Schrauth, the 6-foot-5, 310-pound interior offensive lineman and team captain. He spent most of his college career at guard, but reports indicate a transition to center would be easy for him. He’s projected to be a Day 3 pick.

He had quite the interview on Cam Newton’s podcast Cam was kind to him Why, I don’t know smith has issues…then again, who doesn’t…

You are welcome I was glad to find a simple picture of all of them let’s hope for the best …a different player caller might change things for the better too

just touch image and it will expand

Yep and the ability to move away from a couple,of those large contracts with younger, cheaper players my issue,with Yosh…..do it before free agency

Coming back from an Achilles..,welll,.,,no telling when he will be ready

I have since Ickey went down

agree with you Maybe. The Panthers don’t value Center position in this offense only position they aren’t paying for on that line is Center hard to figure with a little fella at qb regardless, probably will draft one in rd 3 to 5

It is also the smart move as Tackles in general, and LTs in particular, cost a lot of money So, knowing a qb contract may be incoming, if he is there, take him he can also play RT…and Moton isn’t getting any younger, and can cut Moton after this year and save substantial money so bring back Yosh and draft a LT and find another backup during FA it was what ,playoff teams do

Mike Kaye from the Observer also projected this Round 1, No. 19 Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia it makes sense The most expensive position after qb is typically LT …a promising rookie, replacing a severely injured LT waiting on a lot of money for the second contract, plus an aging RT who has missed a bit of time, sure helps a lot …particularly when the little fella’s decision is coming if the wagon is going to be hitched to one of the historically small QBs, that line best be as good as possible

Just interesting to see how people around the team and administration feel vs those in the national media not as close to the team draft, such a crap shoot ickey situation is huge to me got to,have a decent, reliable left tackle plus one or two swing Ts, it is a long year.

from joe person In round two, we had Morgan making a trade with Seattle Seahawks GM John Schneider, Morgan’s former boss in Seattle. The Panthers moved back from 51 to 56 (which Seattle had traded up for), while getting the Seahawks’ third-round pick (96) and giving up one of their fifths (158). The deal left Carolina with four selections in the top 100. Round 1, No. 19 Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia Something about mock season always leads us back to the SEC. After taking Miami edge rusher Akheem Mesidor in this spot last month, we brushed up on our math and figured out that, while talented, Mesidor will be pushing 30 when it’s time for his second contract. That doesn’t seem like a Morgan move, despite having also starred at The U. Freeling, who turns 22 the first week of training camp, was viewed initially by some teams as a late-first-round prospect. But his stock has risen as scouts have gotten more of a look at the 6-7, 315-pounder with 33¾-inch arms. Freeling showed off his athleticism in Indianapolis, running a 40 in 4.93 seconds with a 1.72-second, 10-yard split. Freeling started only one full season at Georgia and is still developing. The Panthers could also sign a veteran such as Yosh Nijman to replace injured Ikem Ekwonu and help Freeling get ready to take over. The question is whether Freeling will be available at 19. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has him going to the Miami Dolphins at 11 in his two-round mock that dropped Wednesday. But at least one NFC talent personnel executive thinks Freeling could fall to the Panthers. In round two, we had Morgan making a trade with Seattle Seahawks GM John Schneider, Morgan’s former boss in Seattle. The Panthers moved back from 51 to 56 (which Seattle had traded up for), while getting the Seahawks’ third-round pick (96) and giving up one of their fifths (158). The deal left Carolina with four selections in the top 100. Round 2, No. 56 (from SEA) Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech As mentioned above, don’t be surprised if the Panthers open their wallets next week for Devin Lloyd, Kaden Elliss or one of the other top free-agent linebackers. It’s a position that needs to be addressed with a big swing, if not more. And the second round feels like the sweet spot for playmaking, off-ball linebackers. In our initial mock, we went with Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., a 6-3, 238-pounder with big upside as a blitzer. But while Hill’s coverage skills are still a work in progress, Rodriguez will arrive in the NFL as a three-down ‘backer who had four interceptions last year for the Red Raiders. The 6-1, 231-pound Rodriguez finished his career with 19 forced turnovers, so he knows how to be disruptive around the ball. Brugler, who also has Rodriguez going to Carolina in the second round, noted that Texas Tech coaches called him the “quarterback of the defense.” That sounds like a former Panthers linebacker who will be receiving a gold jacket this summer. Round 3, No. 83 Jake Slaughter, C, Florida The Panthers haven’t taken an offensive lineman in two drafts with Morgan as GM. But he could draft two this year, depending on how Cade Mays’ free agency plays out and what the Panthers’ plan is to replace Mays if he signs elsewhere. Along with Auburn’s Connor Lew, Slaughter is considered one of the top centers in the draft. And the 6-5, 303-pounder appears poised to be a plug-and-play guy from Day 1, having started more than 30 games over five seasons in Gainesville. Slaughter is 83rd in Brugler’s rankings, so this was really the perfect spot for him. Slaughter graduated last spring with a degree in agricultural education and communication and was on the SEC’s academic honor roll his final four seasons. Just as importantly, Slaughter is said to have a high football IQ, critical at the center position. Round 3, No. 96 (from SEA) Keyron Crawford, edge, Auburn This could be one of those classic cases of a team (or mock drafter) scouting one player from a Power 4 team and developing a draft crush on one of his teammates. Auburn defensive end Keldric Faulk has been mocked to the Panthers by a couple of draft analysts, and it’s not hard to see why. The 6-6, 276-pound Faulk has impressive length and a high ceiling. But Crawford had more production than Faulk last season, finishing with more tackles, sacks, tackles for loss and passes defended than his more publicized teammate. Not bad for someone who didn’t start playing football until his senior year at his Memphis high school. True, the 6-4, 253-pound Crawford is a bit undersized. But his explosive first step, effort at all three levels and upside make him an excellent value pick late on the second day of the draft. Round 4, No. 119 Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri The Panthers’ defense was improved last season, thanks in part to the return of defensive tackle Derrick Brown, a Pro Bowler in 2023. Brown finished with a career-high five sacks, tying Nic Scourton for the team lead. Still, the Panthers could use a pass-rushing interior lineman, especially with the team expected to trade or release A’Shawn Robinson in a cost-cutting move. Enter McClellan, the Florida transfer whose six sacks last season were more than his total from the previous three seasons combined. The 6-4, 313-pound McClellan looks the part with his 34-inch arms and 11-inch hands, among the largest of any player in the draft. Brugler believes McClelland has the strength to handle the point of attack and push the pocket as a rusher, calling him “an underrated player who will be part of a rotation for a long time.” Round 5, No. 162 Kendrick Law, WR, Kentucky Before digging in on Law, it’s worth mentioning that the Panthers drafting a receiver in the first round for the third year in a row isn’t out of the question, depending on how their board shakes out. Is it likely? Probably not, but worth keeping in mind. The Panthers would like to diversify their receiving room with a speedy, shifty athlete who can make plays after the catch and in the run game. They took a flyer on one in the sixth round last year in former Colorado wideout Jimmy Horn, who had a couple of splash plays as a rookie. Maybe Morgan and Dave Canales try it again with another Day-3 receiver. If so, the 5-11, 203-pound Law is worth a look. He transferred to Kentucky in 2025 after three years at Alabama and led the Wildcats in receptions (53) and receiving yards (540), a good chunk of which came on yards after the catch on bubble screens and other quick-hitting throws. Law doesn’t have blinding speed (he ran a 4.45-second 40 in Indy), but he has good hands and can break tackles in space. Plus, he returned kicks at Alabama and Kentucky, averaging 23 yards over the past three seasons. Round 6, No. 200 T.J. Hall, cornerback, Iowa With Mike Jackson in the final year of his contract and nearing his 30s, it’s not too early to start thinking about a succession plan. Teams typically don’t find starting corners late in the third day. And even those who do develop often take time. Jackson, a fifth-round pick in 2019, didn’t become a starter until 2022 in Seattle, his fourth team in three years. All of which to say that realistic expectations are needed for anyone who would have appeared in this space, including Hall, who at least has the size (6-1, 189) the Panthers look for in their corners. Hall only had two interceptions for the Hawkeyes and isn’t a burner. But he led Iowa with 10 pass breakups last season and was a willing tackler, with a team-high eight tackles in their bowl win over Vanderbilt.

Im listing the two picks above the Panthers apparently, Dane values Proctor a lot more than some 17. Detroit Lions: Kadyn Proctor, OT/G, Alabama The return of Taylor Decker in 2026 gives the Lions options on draft night, but it doesn’t eliminate offensive line from being the move here. Proctor has the talent to give Detroit immediate depth at both tackle and guard, especially after the release of Graham Glasgow. He’d be a long-term building block. 18. Minnesota Vikings: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon With Harrison Smith’s future in question, the Vikings will have safety near the top of their wish list this offseason. Thieneman was expected to test well at the combine. Based on the reactions from teams, he surpassed even those high expectations and solidified himself in the mid-first-round range. (NFL scout: “It’s hard to find anything bad with ‘T-man.’”) 19. Carolina Panthers: Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami General Manager Dan Morgan, a member of the Hurricanes’ Ring of Honor, isn’t going to draft a Miami player because of the connections to his alma mater. But it wouldn’t hurt, especially with the Panthers in the market for a charged-up edge rusher.