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Picks: Nos. 19, 51, 83, 119, 158, 159, 200 I'm extremely excited for the Panthers' 2026 draft. How could you not be? After two straight offseasons of aggressive defensive spending, coordinator Ejiro Evero's unit looks ready to make the leap. Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloydfill out two of the biggest gaps on the roster, though the Panthers should not be discounted from drafting a top edge rusher early. Phillips is a major injury risk and not a sack artist, so he doesn't fully solve the Panthers' 5.3% sack rate from last season (27th in the league). The Panthers might be the Akheem Mesidor(Miami) team, as they need his production immediately. The Panthers are also often tagged as the Kenyon Sadiq team, which is very possible. No one among Tommy Tremble, Ja'Tavion Sanders and Mitchell Evans has played his way into an unquestioned starting role. But the Panthers do have three tight ends on the roster, two of whom are on rookie contracts. Sadiq would fit nicely in Dave Canales' offense, which has a dynamic screen game and schemes up targets well. But I'd like to see an accompanying move to make room at the position for Sadiq's snaps to love the pick. There's much more room at wide receiver, where a second three-level option to run besides Offensive Rookie of the Year Tetairoa McMillan could really bust open this offense. I could see an early pick spent in the secondary, which might come as a surprise to some. Slot corner Chau Smith-Wade has been fine but could be improved upon if an elite nickel option is available at No. 51 (think D'Angelo Ponds from Indiana or Keionte Scottfrom Miami). Depth behind the outside corners is also quite thin, and Mike Jackson (29 years old) is in a contract year, so a player with inside-out versatility would have even more value. Clemson's Avieon Terrell, anyone? The Panthers can also buttress the slot by drafting a safety with good man coverage traits to play opposite Tre'von Moehrig, as neither Lathan Ransom nor Nick Scott has emphatically secured that role. Treydan Stukes(Arizona) is another option who would make a lot of sense at No. 51. Bottom line: Wide receiver, pass rusher and defensive back are the big needs. Attack them aggressively -- this is the end of Bryce Young's rookie contract, so it's time to push

19. Carolina Panthers Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State 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. 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. 51. Carolina Panthers D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana If you want to see the pound-for-pound toughest player in this draft class, turn on Ponds' tape. A slot cornerback with elite ability to blitz off the edge or lock up slot receivers, Ponds is a playmaker who routinely shows up in the biggest moments. 83. Carolina Panthers Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State Tre'von Moehrig is Carolina's enforcer in the box, but there's a need for a back-end safety. Wheatley's range at 6-foot-3 and 202 pounds gives him the versatility that would fit in the Panthers' defense. 119. Carolina Panthers: Le'Veon Moss, RB, Texas A&M 158. Carolina Panthers (from MIN): Domani Jackson, CB, Alabama 159. Carolina Panthers: George Gumbs Jr., Edge, Florida 200. Carolina Panthers: Dillon Bell, WR, Georgia