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 4 hours ago 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.