The Carolina Panthers have spent big on defense in NFL free agency, and now, they are being linked to a dynamic offensive player.
The Carolina Panthers dedicated Day 1 of free agency to addressing their defense, signing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips as well as linebacker Devin Lloyd.
But what about getting some help for Bryce Young?
The Panthers have been expected to add a wide receiver or a tight end this offseason, as Xavier Legette is trending toward bust territory and Ja'Tavion Sanders has been a pretty big disappointment.
Perhaps Carolina will instead choose to address those needs in the NFL Draft?
Josh Liskiewitz of Pro Football Focus seems to think so and is projecting that the Panthers will select USC wide receiver Makai Lemon with the 19th overall pick.
"Lemon brings the quickness and separation ability needed to complement 2025 first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan," Liskewitz wrote. "At USC last season, 31 of his 79 receptions went for explosive gains, and he forced 21 missed tackles with the ball in his hands. He also showed strong ball skills, coming down with 10 of 15 contested targets."
Lemon is viewed by many as one of the top three receivers in this year's draft class along with Ohio State's Carnell Tate and Arizona State's Jordyn Tyson, but he is very different from both playmakers.
Makai Lemon. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.While Tate and Tyson are both big-bodied receivers, Lemon is 5-foot-11, 192 pounds, but with the Panthers already having the 6-foot-5 McMillan and 6-foot-3 Jalen Coker in their receiving corps, Lemon could represent a fantastic fit.
The 21-year-old hauled in 79 receptions for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025, averaging a healthy 14.6 yards per catch.
Lemon arrived at USC in 2023 but did not begin earning significant playing time until his second season, when he caught 52 passes for 764 yards and three scores.
Now that Carolina has already addressed a couple of key holes defensively, it's entirely possible that the Panthers will pivot to offense in the first round of the draft, but would they really select a wide receiver for the third year in a row?
It remains to be seen, but there is no question that Young could use some more weapons at his disposal heading into 2026.
Carolina could also slide Lemon in the slot and then move Coker outside permanently, which would be a fantastic setup.
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