The Panthers, who just finished tied for 28th in sacks, must create better pass-rush production in 2026. Mesidor might be the most technically skilled player in this edge crop.

The Panthers took a huge jump in 2025, winning the NFC South and seeing more glimpses of quarterback Bryce Young playing up to his former No. 1 pick status. With the Panthers set to pick up Young's fifth-year option, they can use this pick to continue to build around him and give him support. Ioane is the best interior lineman in the class, with elite power in the run game and patience in pass protection. The savvy left guard allowed just two pressures and no sacks in 11 games last season. Teams looking for a power anchor in the passing game will love what Ioane brings. He's a starter from day one and boasts Pro Bowl talent.

As tempting as it might be to get Bryce Young even more offensive help, the Panthers need balance from this draft. Abney is a fast and feisty ball hawk at corner and could start pretty quickly for Carolina.

Proctor is a massive, athletic LT with impressive balance and the ability to move effectively in space, making him a first-round talent in both pass protection and perimeter run schemes. When locked in, he can dominate defensive linemen in the run game and neutralize elite edge rushers in pass protection. While his weight, footwork and consistency can be an issue at times, his size, athleticism and upside make him a potential top-tier tackle when fully focused.

Best Pick: I love fourth-round safety Lathan Ransom from Ohio State. He is a thumper in the run game and a guy who made a lot of plays for a good Buckeyes defense.

Worst Pick: I didn't really like the pick of Ole Miss edge Princely Umanmielen in the third. He has skills, but he isn't great against the run and he needs to get stronger.

The Skinny: They clearly wanted to get a weapon for Bryce Young and some edge help, which they did with their second- and third-round picks. They took receiver Tet McMillan in the first, which will help Young, but I worry about his separation speed. The two pass rushers in Nic Scourton (second) and Umanmielen have talent, but they didn't always play to it. Tight end Mitch Evans in the fifth could be a nice pick.

Top needs entering the draft: Linebacker, defensive tackle, wide receiver and edge rusher

In all four mock drafts I did for this class, I projected Carolina to take Jalon Walker at No. 8. It's never that easy, though, right?

The Panthers went a different route, adding receiver Tetairoa McMillan. At 6-foot-4, he brings in just about anything thrown in his direction, including contested catches. Quarterback Bryce Young will throw the ball up to him in the red zone and walk away with a touchdown more often than not. Think Drake London in Atlanta. McMillan doesn't generate much separation, though, which could be an issue against NFL corners. It's part of the reason I had him ranked 19th. Even so, there are some good, young receivers in this locker room now with McMillan, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker. (Carolina also added Jimmy Horn Jr. in the sixth round.)

The defenders came on Day 2, though. Good thing. Here's a sampling of the categories in which Carolina's defense ranked last in the league in 2024: points allowed per game (31.4), rushing yards allowed per game (179.8), total yards per game (404.5), QBR allowed (64.8), yards per play (6.0), first downs allowed per game (24.5), opponents' third-down conversion percentage (50.2%) and run stop win rate (25%).

Nic Scourton spent some time in my top 25 during the season, but I ended up ranking him 58th. He closes well on the QB, but his sack count fell from 10 to five in 2024. I like his run-stopping traits, though. Don't sleep on his impact there. Princely Umanmielen was the other second-day selection, and he will push quarterbacks off their spots. His 17.9% pressure rate ranked fourth in the country last season.

I'm surprised GM Dan Morgan, a former linebacker, didn't do anything at the second level, but defensive tackle Cam Jackson in Round 5 and safety Lathan Ransom will give defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero some more depth to work with.