The Athletic Presents: Joseph Person's Panthers mock draft 1.0 extravaganza

[TheSpecialJuan]

Round 1, No. 19 Akheem Mesidor, edge, Miami It was tempting to kick off mock season with a Georgia linebacker again, and C.J. Allen certainly could help Ejiro Evero’s defense as a three-down backer. But Morgan has made no bones about improving the pass rush this offseason, and it just so happens that his alma mater boasts two guys who can help with that. Rueben Bain is projected as a top-10 pick, but Mesidor might be the most polished pass rusher in the draft. Granted, he’s had a lot of time for that polishing: The Ontario native turns 25 in April. Morgan hasn’t selected a player older than 23 in his first two drafts. However, the 6-3, 270-pound, high-energy Mesidor will inject juice into the pass rush from Day 1 after leading the ACC with 12 1/2 sacks and finishing with 17 1/2 tackles for loss last season.

[TheSpecialJuan]

Round 2, No. 51 Anthony Hill Jr, LB, Texas The Panthers may have to trade up a little higher in the second round to snag Hill, who racked up 17 sacks in three seasons for the Longhorns despite playing primarily as an off-ball linebacker. Hill has the speed and athleticism to run down ball carriers sideline to sideline, and the size (6-3, 238) and attitude to meet them in the hole with authority. His coverage skills remain a work in progress, but he looks like someone who’s about to begin a long and successful NFL career. You might say he was born ready, coming into the world at the same hospital in Wichita, Kan., as Barry Sanders. In his second game at Texas, Hill had six tackles and two sacks in a win over Alabama, including one on the Crimson Tide’s final offensive play

[TheSpecialJuan]

Round 3, No. 83 Dametrious Crownover, OT, Texas A&M The Panthers haven’t drafted an offensive lineman since Morgan was promoted, and Dave Canales and Brandt Tilis arrived in 2024. There was a good chance that trend was going to end even before Ikem Ekwonu ruptured his patellar tendon in the playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams.Now the Panthers have to address the tackle position and might double down in the draft and free agency. The 6-7, 336-pound Crownover is a large human with a huge wingspan, and helped himself with a strong showing at the Senior Bowl, where he played both tackle spots. Brugler doesn’t have Crownover ranked among his top 100 prospects, viewing him as a raw prospect capable of making an impact down the road. If the Panthers sign a stopgap tackle in free agency, Crownover could be worth drafting as the future successor to Ekwonu or Taylor Moton.

[TheSpecialJuan]

Round 4, No. 119 Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State

Round 5 Taylen Green, QB,Arkansas

Round 5, No. 161 AaronAnderson, WR, LSU

Round 6, No. 199 Ephesians Prysock, CB, Washington

 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7036640/2026/02/11/panthers-mock-draft-defense-edge-rusher/

[mrcompletely11]

Anthony Hill at 51?   I mean maybe, doubtful but you never know

[Panthero]

Highly doubt Morgan drafts a guy that age for the first pick.

[TheSpecialJuan]

17 minutes ago, Panthero said:

Highly doubt Morgan drafts a guy that age for the first pick.

I kinda agree but he's an excellent prospect. Instant impact player. Dane Bugler described him as a better version of Nic Scourton

[Swaggasaurus]

27 minutes ago, Panthero said:

Highly doubt Morgan drafts a guy that age for the first pick.

I’m of the school of thought that we need an instant starter. He’d start instantly, needs no physical changes, already refined technique and plays the run and pass at high level. You’ve got young Princely developing, and really Scourton too. We need a PLAY NOW edge. It’s hard to sign a free agent worth a damn at edge, aged 25 or 30, lord knows we’ve tried.

[DaveThePanther2008]

This would be nice.  It addresses most of our needs.  I think we will add Free Agents in each of the top three picks to allow these players the chance to get used to the NFL.  

[strato]

As far as age, I doubt the Saints regret taking Shough, Different position I know, but if he is ready to step in? 
 

I expected not to like Person’s choices but I am good with this. At least, without looking to see who he passed on to take these guys.

I can say, the last thing I want to see in the 1st or 2nd round is a WR or TE. 

Edited 1 hour ago by strato

[panfanman]

I'd like to know what LTs were still on the board at 19 with a 1st round grade.  I think this should be our biggest priority.

[firefox1234]

Hill Jr. is going to kill his combine/pro day and go day 1, but one can still dream.

[Aussie Tank]

Nah just watching the highlights Bain makes his life alot easier we don't need another second fiddle 

[mrcompletely11]

30 minutes ago, firefox1234 said:

Hill Jr. is going to kill his combine/pro day and go day 1, but one can still dream.

He plays like an aggressive animal and has size and speed for days.  If he makes it to round 2 for us then its a blessing but my gut says thats not happening.  He is a really good linebacker.  Would rather have Styles but thats not happening.   Trade back from 19 and pick this dude up if he falls (which I doubt)