Pro Football Focus: 2026 NFL Draft: The ideal haul for every team in the first three rounds

[TheSpecialJuan]

Carolina Panthers: EDGE Akheem Mesidor, LB Jake Golday, C Jake Slaughter

The Panthers made the playoffs for the first time since 2017, but their defense needs major retooling at several levels. Carolina slotted 30^th in pass-rush win rate at edge defender last year, and while Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen flashed, the team could use an instant-impact starter like Mesidor (92.5 PFF pass-rush grade). Further, Golday (82.4 overall PFF grade) could develop into a multi-year starter for a linebacker unit seeking growth.

The Panthers don’t face many key free-agent losses, but the team could be in demand for interior offensive line with both Austin Corbett and Cade Mays hitting the market. Slaughter earned a 79.3 overall PFF grade or better in both of the last two years, and his 86.0 PFF zone-blocking grade would align with Dave Canales’ offense

[TheSpecialJuan]

https://www.pff.com/news/2026-nfl-draft-the-ideal-haul-for-every-team-in-the-first-three-rounds

[strato]

Mesidor makes a little sense given that Dan will be real familiar with him, apparently he still follows Miami pretty closely. 

That looks good if Icky’s injury never happened. I don’t know what it looks like now. We just need too much. 

Edited Saturday at 11:36 PM by strato

[csx]

We dont have a LT or a C. Im not sure why this is overlooked.. referring to their statement about interior OL

[Donald LaFell]

Nijman might be a serviceable LT but we still aren’t sure when Moton could go. I think you have to look very hard at OT in the first two days. I’m also really surprised at them letting Mays test the market unless he wanted a huge payday. 

I’m not sold on many edges coming out of the draft unless they are total freaks of nature. I’d rather not take a chance on an edge, I swear they mostly bust. One of the top LBs like CJ Allen would be a thrill to get. 

[strato]

Yeah we are depleted now as it stands and an injury away from complete catastrophe if we don’t make multiple moves for the OL. 
 

I hate forestalling the upgrading of some weak areas like the pass rush, really hate it, but man we need to get this OL straight. 

[Jon Snow]

Thats a weak draft.

[mrcompletely11]

On 3/1/2026 at 7:55 AM, Jon Snow said:

Thats a weak draft.

its not sexy for sure

[45catfan]

Agree on the second and third picks; massively disagree on the first one.

[rebelrouser]

Horrible first pick.  A 25 year old lightweight edge w/ short arms? Those picks also demand a quality LT in FA. Who would that be?  

[MHS831]

On 3/1/2026 at 7:55 AM, Jon Snow said:

Thats a weak draft.

There is only 1 place to get an OT--these experts need to read the tea leaves--I am OK with Golday and Slaughter (C will probably have to start),  but we are going to need a LT.  We have already sent Nijman into the market, Ickey may not be back ever, and BC is not going to be available. All signs point to a LT.  Freeling or Lomu.  Even if Ickey is coming back, let him play RT after Moton or G.

[Jon Snow]

10 minutes ago, MHS831 said:

There is only 1 place to get an OT--these experts need to read the tea leaves--I am OK with Golday and Slaughter (C will probably have to start),  but we are going to need a LT.  We have already sent Nijman into the market, Ickey may not be back ever, and BC is not going to be available. All signs point to a LT.  Freeling or Lomu.  Even if Ickey is coming back, let him play RT after Moton or G.

It appears we might favor Proctor in the 1st as an option. That's just my theory based on nothing but Persons article. 

[Hoenheim]

Mezidor is a reach at 19. I'd only take him if he slipped to our 2nd round pick.  I feel the same about most of the edge prospects not named Baine, Bailey, or Reese. 

Cashius Howell has historically short arms. TJ Parker had a down year.  Keldrick Faulk has great size but limited pass rush production.  The list goes on. This is not a good class to be getting line the 4th or 5th rated edge prospect . 

I'd rather get the 2nd ILB or the 3rd WR, 1st TE ,  vs 4th-6th DE. The value just ain't there at 19.  

 

[shaqattaq]

4 hours ago, 45catfan said:

Agree on the second and third picks; massively disagree on the first one.

switch out Mesidor with best available tackle and I'm a big fan.

I think we fill the spot across from Scourton with vet FA and draft 1 on day 3.