With the 2026 NFL Draft approaching on April 23rd in Pittsburgh, the Carolina Panthers hold the No. 19 overall pick after a solid but incomplete 2025 season. General manager Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales have addressed several roster holes in free agency, most notably signing left tackle Rasheed Walker and edge help.
Prominent mock drafts show a wide range of opinions for Carolina at 19, reflecting the deep 2026 class at edge, linebacker, offensive tackle, tight end, wide receiver, and safety. No single position dominates, but best-player-available and scheme fit drive most projections.
Offensive Line Reinforcement
Several mocks prioritize protecting Young. Fox Sports has the Panthers taking massive Alabama OT Kadyn Proctor (6-7, 350 lbs) at 19, citing his athleticism despite the recent Walker signing. ESPN has projected Utah OT Spencer Fano in earlier versions. With Ekwonu sidelined, adding a high-upside tackle makes sense for long-term blindside security.
Defensive Front Additions
PFF mocks Florida's Caleb Banks to Carolina at 19. The 6-6, 327-pounder had a strong pre-draft process before a foot injury at the combine; he’d provide interior depth behind Derrick Brown. Edge rushers also appear, including Auburn’s Keldric Faulk, though free agency has softened that urgency. Defensive tackle/edge versatility remains a popular theme.
Skill Position Upside
Offense gets love too. NFL.com has projected Texas A&M WR KC Concepcion for added firepower alongside Tetairoa McMillan. Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq pops up frequently thanks to his freakish combine numbers—a potential mismatch nightmare to pair with Young.
Secondary and Linebacker Help
Safety is a recurring need. ESPN and CBS Sports have Toledo S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren going to Carolina. Linebacker options include Ohio State’s Sonny Styles or Georgia’s CJ Allen. Cornerback appears less often but surfaces in trade-down scenarios.
Consensus
The bottom line is, because of the moves the Carolina Panthers have made in free agency, there are not as many glaring needs that they need to address with that no. 19 pick. They are in a position of just, quite frankly, drafting the best player available.