ESPN'S Matt Miller's pick predictions for Rounds 1-7

[TheSpecialJuan]

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

[TheSpecialJuan]

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/story/_/id/48299038/2026-nfl-mock-draft-seven-rounds-257-picks-projections-matt-miller#r3

[chknwing]

Miller smoking that good stuff. a guard at #19 lol

Edited 1 hour ago by chknwing

[Basbear]

9 minutes ago, chknwing said:

Miller smoking that good stuff. a guard at #19 lol

then he takes a smaller than BY CB with the 2nd pick, LOLs ..... Dang what happened, is he dealing in rage bait?

Edited 1 hour ago by Basbear

[Basbear]

I had to come back and label this the worst draft expert draft Ive ever seen for a team. 

Edited 1 hour ago by Basbear

[RumHam]

this is awful. Canales said they're not drafting for depth. BPA on what they left out on free agency is going to probably be tight end and any weapon that falls to them. 

[Growl]

19 minutes ago, Basbear said:

I had to come back and label this the worst draft expert draft Ive ever seen for a team. 

it’s crazy because whenever he’s talking about other teams he’s a really good guy but it is an annual tradition that whenever he talks about the Panthers his brain just comes undone and oozes out of his ears 

 

[MartyClemons]

34 minutes ago, Basbear said:

then he takes a smaller than BY CB with the 2nd pick, LOLs ..... Dang what happened, is he dealing in rage bait?

You get arguably a top 10 prospect in the draft at 19 and a top 30-40 prospect in the 50s and you guys complain. smh

[MartyClemons]

20 minutes ago, RumHam said:

this is awful. Canales said they're not drafting for depth. BPA on what they left out on free agency is going to probably be tight end and any weapon that falls to them. 

Ioane wouldn’t be a depth piece lol

[WUnderhill]

“The Panthers could rebuild their offensive line around him and left tackle Ikem Ekwonu.“

Says all you need to know.

[LinvilleGorge]

A guard and a nickelback with our first two picks? About the only way you could get less positional value would be to take a fullback and a punter.

[Sup]

If we felt like Ioane could be in an elite center than I have absolutely zero problem drafting him at 19.