The great Joe Person's Panthers mock draft extravaganza

[TheSpecialJuan]

Round 1, No. 19

Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling was the pick here in our second mock. But that was before Morgan signed former Green Bay Packers tackle Rasheed Walker to a team-friendly deal in free agency. The Panthers only gave Walker one year, so they could draft a developmental tackle to take over eventually for Ikem Ekwonu or Taylor Moton. But that would run counter to Dave Canales’ comments from the annual league meetings about not being a fan of “drafting for depth.” With his 4.35 speed and natural ball skills, Thieneman would vault to the top of the depth chart at free safety ahead of Nick Scott. The question is whether Thieneman will make it past the Minnesota Vikings at 18. If he’s gone, Morgan could go with Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq or one of the receivers the Panthers hosted, such as Charlotte native KC Concepcion.

 

[TheSpecialJuan]

Round 2, No. 51

Treydan Stukes, CB, Arizona

[TheSpecialJuan]

Round 3, No. 83

Brenen Thompson, WR, Mississippi State

[TheSpecialJuan]

Round 4, No. 119

Chris McClellan, DT, Missouri

[TheSpecialJuan]

Round 5, No. 158

Febechi Nwaiwu, G/C, Oklahoma

[TheSpecialJuan]

Round 5, No. 159

Jack Kelly, LB, BYU

Brugler called the 6-2, 240-pound Kelly a “culture-setter” at BYU, where he combined for 23.5 tackles for loss and 15 sacks in two seasons after transferring from Weber State. Kelly was a team captain both years, and finished his career in 2025 by leading the Cougars in sacks (10), tackles for loss (13.5) and forced fumbles (two). He also scored a 54-yard touchdown on a blocked field goal on his way to a first-team, All-Big 12 selection.

Round 6, No. 200

Haynes King, QB, Georgia Tech

The 25-year-old King played six college seasons — three each at Texas A&M and Georgia Tech — and is six months older than Bryce Young. But Tyler Shough showed last year that a long college resume isn’t necessarily a bad thing when it comes to quarterbacking in the NFL. King, whose position coach at Tech was former Panther Chris Weinke, would give the Panthers a different look as a developmental QB behind Young and Kenny Pickett. The dual-threat athlete led Georgia Tech in both passing (2,951) and rushing yards (953) in 2025 and was the ACC Player of the Year. King’s rough-and-tumble style invites questions about his durability. But it also could get him on the field as a rookie in a Taysom Hill-like, short-yardage package.

[TheSpecialJuan]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7210479/2026/04/20/panthers-nfl-mock-draft-2026-dillon-thieneman/

[Basbear]

I got to say, for as far what will happen goes and not what I wish.....this looks petty realistic even though I don't like the outcome. He hits on the position needs perfectly, just missed adding a future OT. Still good work for a real picture of what's come...

[Jon Snow]

Thats a terrible draft. I would not feel good about our future with a draft like that.

[Hugo]

Stukes would be great in the 2nd for us. As for Thieneman, Vegas certainely doesn’t think he’s coming to us. Odds are saying we go the O-line or WR road

[mrcompletely11]

Thats horrible 

 

Doesn't joe know we haven't shown any interest in dt?

[Basbear]

3 minutes ago, mrcompletely11 said:

Thats horrible 

 

Doesn't joe know we haven't shown any interest in dt?

But they need one, its one of the underrated spots thats overlooked with CB. 

Cam, ray, and hunter are the backups...... unless cam got gamma radiation who's the first guy in DL rotation?? how about this- WHo can take browns job or even push Wharton?

The issue is this draft is weak at DT, but that doesn't change the issue.

my dream is banks at 51 and pray his bones stop breaking.....

[PleaseCutStewart]

Love the first 2 picks and hate just about every other pick after outside of maybe McClellan

Edited 1 hour ago by PleaseCutStewart

[TheSpecialJuan]

Joe's 2025 final mock draft: 

Round 1, No. 8

Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

The Bulldogs’ Mr. Versatility was in this spot in my first mock, with Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham falling to the Panthers at 8 in the second iteration. That scenario could play out if someone snags Walker — Jacksonville and Las Vegas could be possibilities — ahead of the Panthers

Round 2, No. 52

Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame

Round 3, No. 74

Ozzy Trapilo, OT, Boston College

 

Round 4, No. 114

Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State

 

Round 4, No. 120

Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia Tech

 

Round 5, No. 140

Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn

 

Round 5, No. 163

Jared Ivey, edge, Ole Miss

 

Round 6, No. 178

Malachi Moore, S, Alabama

 

Round 7, No. 230

LB Eugene Asante, LB, Auburn