Mike Kaye from the Charlotte Observer presents: Panthers mock draft extravaganza

[TheSpecialJuan]

Round 1 19th overall: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

If Panthers head coach Dave Canales wants an immediate impact player in the first round of the draft, he should look no further than Thieneman. The Panthers can afford to upgrade over the recently retained Nick Scott, and Thieneman would be an excellent piece next to Tre’von Moehrig on the back end of the defense. Three-safety looks with Moehrig, Thieneman and Lathan Ransom would have a bit more range, as the Oregon defensive back has coverage ability that eludes the current depth chart at the position

Round 2 51st overall: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama

The Panthers are self-aware when it comes to the wide receiver position. While Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker clearly impressed last season, there’s still something missing in the Panthers’ aerial attack. The team brought in John Metchie, a yards-after-catch (YAC) weapon, in free agency, but they’d probably like to upgrade the third starting spot with someone who can make up for where 2024 first-round pick Xavier Legette has come up short over the past two years. Bernard is a quick, versatile receiver who can be used all over the field. The 6- foot, 206-pound playmaker can work on the outside and in the slot, and he’s shown the ability to produce YAC with regularity. Rotating Bernard and Coker inside and outside, opposite McMillan, could create some mismatches in coverage and allow quarterback Bryce Young to spread the ball around even further.

Round 3 83rd overall: Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State

Hecht is an athletic, technique-driven lineman who could be a logical long-term starter in Brad Idzik’s offense. Hecht, listed as 6-foot-4 and 303 pounds, has impressive movement at the position (5.1-second 40-yard dash and a 1.76-second 10-yard split) and played in 42 games during his four-year college career at Kansas State. The Panthers need to infuse cheap youth into the line, and having Fortner would allow Carolina to onboard Hecht at his own pace.

Round 4 119th overall: Kaleb Proctor, DE, Southeastern Louisiana

The Panthers find an A’Shawn Robinson replacement at the start of Day 3. While Proctor was a big fish in a smaller pond, his 16 career sacks and 26 total tackles for loss were impressive marks for an interior lineman. Proctor has long arms (33 inches), and his 6-foot-2, 291-pound frame should fit in well in multiple spots along the defensive front. Proctor would be a nice complement for Derrick Brown and Turk Wharton in third-down packages. He’d also make sense on early downs as a “fastball” rusher opposite Derrick and Bobby Brown.

Round 5 158th overall: (via Minnesota): Kaleb Elarms-Orr, ILB, TCU

After splitting his college career between Cal and TCU, Elarms-Orr could enter the offseason program as competition for Trevin Wallace in the starting lineup, or at the very least, push Claudin Cherelus for the third linebacker spot.

159th overall: Josh Cuevas, TE, Alabama

The Panthers could always use more splash on offense. With Young entering an all-important campaign at quarterback, the more weapons, the better for the playmaker. Cuevas produced 53 catches for 629 yards and five touchdowns during his two-year run in Tuscaloosa. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound playmaker, who is from Los Angeles, could make sense as competition for Ja’Tavion Sanders and Mitchell Evans opposite Tommy Tremble this summer.

Round 6 200th overall: Hezekiah Masses, CB, California

The Panthers should feel pretty good about their immediate cornerback depth chart heading into 2026. With Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson on the outside, and Chau Smith-Wade and Corey Thornton available for nickel looks, the unit runs at least four deep. They also brought back Akayleb Evans and Robert Rochell in free agency.

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/article315213471.html

[strato]

Glad Mike Kaye is not doing the drafting. 

[csx]

Coming out of this draft without a single OT would be a very Panthers thing to do.

I will hope the staff is more aware than the media 

[csx]

Sure......Proctor sounds like a great replacement for Robinson.

 

"He’s also very undersized with limited recourse once linemen have him squared up and put hands on him. He lacks the anchor or contact balance to withstand power"

[Biscuit]

1 hour ago, csx said:

Sure......Proctor sounds like a great replacement for Robinson.

 

"He’s also very undersized with limited recourse once linemen have him squared up and put hands on him. He lacks the anchor or contact balance to withstand power"

Word for word this was exactly my highschool yearbook superlative in 1987.