Carolina Panthers 2026 Mock Draft Roundup 3.0
Throughout the year and leading up to the 2026 NFL Draft, we will update our Carolina Panthers Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Carolina Panthers from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
The following are picks from recent NFL mock drafts for the Carolina Panthers:
19. Kayden McDonald, IDL, Ohio State
19. Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (FL)
19. KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M
MORE: Continue reading our 2026 Carolina Panthers Mock Draft Roundup
More roundups: NFL Teams | NFL Draft Prospects
2026 NFL Draft Grades: Carolina Panthers
The 2026 NFL Draft is now in the rearview mirror, and we have compiled a consensus ranking using NFL draft grades from a variety of sites.
What draft grades have the media given to the Carolina Panthers? What are they saying about the Panthers' 2026 draft haul?
ESPN - Grade: B
The team's first two picks were good prospects and in line value-wise, but I didn't consider either position as a big need. Carolina added Monroe Freeling to a pretty good group of tackles in Ikem Ekwonu, Taylor Moton and Rasheed Walker. Freeling hasn't quite developed his run blocking yet (he has only 18 career starts and is 21 years old), but he's really good in pass protection. I love his 34他-inch arms and alertness on stunts. And Lee Hunter is an incredible run defender, with 52 run stops over the past three seasons. The team has Derrick Brown, Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III there, so D-coordinator Ejiro Evero has some depth at hand.
The Panthers checked a box in Round 3 with Chris Brazzell II, who will team with Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker at receiver. Despite being 6-foot-4, he is explosive and ran a 4.37-second 40-yard dash at the combine. I would have liked to see a tight end, but Brazzell will contribute in similar ways in the red zone.
One of the players Carolina passed on in Round 1 was Dillon Thieneman, and the Panthers ended up with Zakee Wheatley at safety. The fifth-round pick will back up Nick Scott. He's a thumper with 163 tackles over the past two seasons. I also liked the Sam Hecht and Will Lee III picks as the Panthers rounded out a decent draft class.
USA Today - Grade: B
MORE: Continue reading our Carolina Panthers 2026 NFL Draft Grades Roundup
Carolina Panthers 2026 NFL Schedule
Below you will find the weekly regular-season schedule for the Carolina Panthers.
| Week | Date | Opponent | Time (ET) / Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Sun., Sept. 13 | vs. Chicago Bears | 1:00 PM / Tickets |
| Week 2 | Sun., Sept. 20 | at Atlanta Falcons | 1:00 PM / Tickets |
| Week 3 | Sun., Sept. 27 | at Cleveland Browns | 1:00 PM / Tickets |
| Week 4 | Sun., Oct. 4 | vs. Detroit Lions | 8:20 PM / Tickets |
| Week 5 | BYE | ||
| Week 6 | Sun., Oct. 18 | at Philadelphia Eagles | 1:00 PM / Tickets |
| Week 7 | Sun., Oct. 25 | vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 1:00 PM / Tickets |
| Week 8 | Thu., Oct. 29 | at Green Bay Packers | 8:15 PM / Tickets |
| Week 9 | Sun., Nov. 8 | vs. Denver Broncos | 1:00 PM / Tickets |
| Week 10 | Sun., Nov. 15 | at New Orleans Saints | 1:00 PM / Tickets |
| Week 11 | Sun., Nov. 22 | vs. Baltimore Ravens | 1:00 PM / Tickets |
| Week 12 | Mon., Nov. 30 | at Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 8:15 PM / Tickets |
| Week 13 | Sun., Dec. 6 | at Minnesota Vikings | 4:25 PM / Tickets |
| Week 14 | Sun., Dec. 13 | vs. New Orleans Saints | 1:00 PM / Tickets |
| Week 15 | Sun., Dec. 20 | vs. Cincinnati Bengals | 1:00 PM / Tickets |
| Week 16 | TBD | at Pittsburgh Steelers | TBD / Tickets |
| Week 17 | Sun., Jan. 3 | vs. Seattle Seahawks | 1:00 PM / Tickets |
| Week 18 | TBD | vs. Atlanta Falcons | TBD / Tickets |
Also, check out the following resources:
Carolina Panthers - 2026 Draft Results
The table below are all of the 2026 NFL Draft picks selected by the Carolina Panthers.
| Round | Overall | Player | Position | School |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19 | Monroe Freeling | OT | Georgia |
| 2 | 49 | Lee Hunter | DT | Texas Tech |
| 3 | 83 | Chris Brazzell II | WR | Tennessee |
| 4 | 129 | Will Lee III | CB | Texas A&M |
| 5 | 144 | Sam Hecht | C | Kansas State |
| 5 | 151 | Zakee Wheatley | S | Penn State |
| 7 | 227 | Jackson Kuwatch | LB | Miami |
More: 2026 NFL Draft Results - Carolina Panthers Draft History