Panthers Connected to 6-foot-7 Offensive Star in Bold Prediction

The Carolina Panthers have definitely spent some big bucks in free agency this offseason, primarily addressing their defense.

However, they also have some work to do on the offensive side of the ball, as well.

The Panthers could certainly use another wide receiver, and while they did sign Rasheed Walker, they could still stand to bring in a tackle.

Walker is only on a one-year deal, and it was just last offseason that retirement rumors were swirling around Taylor Moton.

So it should not come as too much of a surprise that The Athletic has predicted Carolina to select Alabama Crimson Tide tackle Kadyn Proctor with the 19th overall pick in its latest mock draft.

"Given the uncertainty surrounding Ikem Ekwonu after his knee surgery and Rasheed Walker’s one-year deal, an offensive tackle still makes sense here — even if it’s not [Monroe] Freeling," Joseph Person of The Athletic wrote. "Proctor has all the size (6-7, 352) and upside but needs refinement. He’ll have the chance to develop for a year behind Walker and right tackle Taylor Moton."

Proctor is part of a rather deep first-round tackle class that also includes Freeling, Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, but there is no question that Proctor's massive size helps him stand out.

While there are some holes to his game, Proctor can absolutely improve with experience, and there is no such thing as a perfect prospect.

I do question if the Panthers — who just won the NFC South — would be alright selecting a player who wouldn't start for them in 2026, but with so many of their likely targets off the board in this particular mock, going with Proctor could be viewed as the safe pick.

Proctor posted an 85.4 overall grade at Pro Football Focus in 2025, ranking ninth among all qualifying tackles across the nation.

You would think Proctor's draft stock would be considerably higher due to his size and strength, but he actually struggled a bit in pass protection at different points of his collegiate career, so there are some questions about the behemoth.

Regardless, there is no doubt that Proctor could end up becoming the best tackle from this draft class.

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