BOLD TAKE: Panthers will draft Jacob Rodriguez @19

[TheSpecialJuan]

 

[Jon Snow]

I wouldn't hate it. I would take him over Sadiq 10 times out of 10.

[Basbear]

[TheSpecialJuan]

John from One Carolina Show is one of the top Panthers YouTubers—his takes are consistently thoughtful, insightful, and on point. Not saying he's right but it makes a lot of sense. 

[chknwing]

not at 19.  I would expect a trade down in the 1st or a trade up in the 2nd but to stand pat at 19 and take him, thats not gonna happen

[firefox1234]

I wouldn’t be surprised if a few ILBs go in the bottom half of the first.

[TD alt]

2 minutes ago, chknwing said:

not at 19.  I would expect a trade down in the 1st or a trade up in the 2nd but to stand pat at 19 and take him, thats not gonna happen

Yeah, a non-premium position and pretty much expected day two pick. That would be foolish. Depending upon who wants to move up for whom, I'd be trying to swap picks in the first AND move up in the second, if not outright pick up a second.

[TheSpecialJuan]

Franchise legend Luke Kuechly and longtime snapper JJ Jansen chatted about the outlook of the 2026 NFL Draft on the latest episode of their podcast, JJ and Luke. When the conversation ventured into Kuechly's expertise, the soon-to-be Pro Football Hall of Famer gave a pretty strong endorsement of a potential target for Carolina—Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez . . .

Jacob Rodriguez is Luke’s favorite LB

 

https://pantherswire.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/panthers/2026/04/09/nfl-draft-panthers-luke-kuechly-jacob-rodriguez/89527881007/

[Basbear]

Who was better Jon Beason or Jrod???, for college prospect terms in their drafts...

 

I think its clear and Jon was what 25th?

 

Jarod does have luke-like traits and that was 9th overall.

 

I feel Jon had him covered tho....

[TheSpecialJuan]

Per Tony Pauline: https://www.essentiallysports.com/nfl-active-news-sources-giants-heavily-weighing-wr-with-ten-pick-amid-malik-nabers-injury-concerns-david-bailey-a-game-changer-for-robert-saleh/

Surprise Picks In The First Round

As we get closer to the draft, the chatter is getting louder about surprise picks in the bottom half of Round 1. So which teams are talked about as pulling shockers right now, just a few days out from the start of the draft?

Most I’ve spoken with say keep an eye on picks 20, 21, and 22, presently owned by the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Chargers.

I’m told cornerback Chris Johnson and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez are in play for the Cowboys with the 20th pick, their second selection in the initial round. Rodriguez is also being spoken about as a possibility for the Buffalo Bills at the 26th pick. 

 

[Basbear]

14 minutes ago, TheSpecialJuan said:

Per Tony Pauline: https://www.essentiallysports.com/nfl-active-news-sources-giants-heavily-weighing-wr-with-ten-pick-amid-malik-nabers-injury-concerns-david-bailey-a-game-changer-for-robert-saleh/

Surprise Picks In The First Round

As we get closer to the draft, the chatter is getting louder about surprise picks in the bottom half of Round 1. So which teams are talked about as pulling shockers right now, just a few days out from the start of the draft?

Most I’ve spoken with say keep an eye on picks 20, 21, and 22, presently owned by the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Los Angeles Chargers.

I’m told cornerback Chris Johnson and linebacker Jacob Rodriguez are in play for the Cowboys with the 20th pick, their second selection in the initial round. Rodriguez is also being spoken about as a possibility for the Buffalo Bills at the 26th pick. 

 

it is the week of lying,,,,, but.....nah

[Thompcat]

I don't think this is far fetched at all. He would be a starter in a position of need. Do not want a WR or a TE in the first.

[ColumbusCounty]

I was hoping we might trade up in the 2nd and grab'em ...I guess the secret is out though.  

Whatever the choice is we HAVE to nail the first two at minimum. 

[TheSpecialJuan]

58 minutes ago, chknwing said:

not at 19.  I would expect a trade down in the 1st or a trade up in the 2nd but to stand pat at 19 and take him, thats not gonna happen

This would be ideal but you just never know on draft night if you can find a trade partner