Panthers Take Big Ten Star in 2027 NFL Mock Draft

Coming into the 2026 NFL season, the Carolina Panthers were determined to build off the success of last year.

Carolina made the playoffs in 2025, despite the team having a lackluster 8-9 record for the season. But the NFC South was weaker than expected, giving the Panthers a chance to get into the dance.

While the Panthers' time in the playoffs didn't last long, the team did gain some needed experience. This has allowed quarterback Bryce Young to take the next step in his development, and so far this season, it has worked out well.

But Carolina still has some work to do on offense, needing to get Young a reliable tight end to use. The Panthers have supplied wide receivers to the signal-caller, but having a solid tight end can make all the difference for a player.

The Panthers could look to make a trade for a tight end this season, or they could elect to build the offense out next offseason. But Carolina could also look to target this position in the upcoming NFL Draft.

In a new 2027 NFL Mock Draft from Bleacher Report's Brent Sobleski has Carolina landing a tight end to help out Young. With pick No. 19 in the first round, the Panthers landed on Jamari Johnson out of Oregon.

Johnson has been a true weapon for the Ducks over his career, and he's off to a solid start this season. The veteran has caught 12 passes for 189 yards and one score, playing in three games this year.

The Ducks want to get him more involved in the passing game going forward, and Johnson has the skills needed to thrive at the next level. For Young, Johnson could be a real playmaking threat, especially down in the red zone.

Through the first few weeks of the season, the Panthers' passing attack is ranked No. 2 in the league, showing signs of a full breakout. If they could add someone like Johnson to the mix, Carolina's offense could grow even more, which is a scary thought for the rest of the NFL.

The Panthers owe it to Young to keep building around him as the franchise quarterback, and he has shown them much more this year. Young has a lot of talent, and he has finally started to put it together on the field.

If the Panthers could give him a solid tight end presence to go along with the star wideouts that the team already has, it would only help his overall development down the line. Carolina could go multiple ways in the draft next year, but adding a tight end could be the most beneficial for the team.