As we quickly approach the halfway point of the 2025 NFL season, the Carolina Panthers [https://roundtable.io/sports/nfl/panthers] will now begin to look ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft. The Panthers’ playoff odds, while still maintaining a 4-4 record, are starting to look grim due to a tough back-half schedule. Luckily for the franchise, this presents a perfect opportunity for the front office to gain high draft capital for the upcoming draft. Here is the first edition of the Panthers’ 2026 NFL Mock Draft, with the first five rounds included. (Draft order based on ESPN’s projections [https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46735039/2025-nfl-trade-deadline-deals-players-buzz-needs-32-teams]) ROUND ONE, PICK NO. 12: KELDRIC FAULK (EDGE, AUBURN) BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/89dbd5af-a2c7-47fc-8dbe-3bc420b539a0.jpeg] BRYAN TERRY/THE OKLAHOMAN While many fans believed that the Panthers would use a first-round pick on an EDGE rusher in the 2025 NFL Draft, the team ultimately decided to select wide receiver Tetairoa McMillian, which has proven to be the correct move. However, despite selecting two EDGE rushers on day two, Carolina is in desperate need of a true No. 1 pass rusher outside of Derrick Brown. Auburn’s Keldric Faulk [https://roundtable.io/sports/nfl/panthers/opinion/panthers-should-keep-an-eye-on-these-three-2026-nfl-draft-prospects]would be the perfect addition to the franchise’s pass-rushing core, as the 6-foot-6, 275 lbs. mammoth could replace 30-year-old A’Shawn Robinson. ROUND TWO, PICK NO. 44: GERMIE BERNARD (WR, ALABAMA) Gary Cosby-USA TODAY Network [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/37ff2bc5-53ab-4cfc-9a99-2f6e9813e84d.jpeg] Gary Cosby-USA TODAY Network McMillian continues to prove that he can be the team’s No. 1 pass catcher for the future, but the rookie wide receiver is the lone weapon for quarterback Bryce Young in the passing game. Luckily for general manager Dan Morgan, the Panthers could use their second-round pick on Alabama’s Germie Bernard, who has asserted himself as a top playmaker in a loaded wide receiver class. The 6-foot-1, 204 lbs. standout has legit speed and can play both inside and outside, making him a terrific fit for Carolina’s wide receiver corps. ROUND THREE, PICK NO. 76: CHANDLER RIVERS (CB, DUKE) Zachary Taft-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/87cbeffb-80ca-4d06-8dc8-fb0e210f9e49.jpeg] Zachary Taft-Imagn Images The Panthers’ secondary unit has shown signs of promise over the past few weeks, but the cornerback room could use a young talent alongside former 2021 first-round pick Jaycee Horn. Prior to the beginning of the 2025 season, Duke’s Chandler Rivers was a fringe round-one prospect for the 2026 Draft. Unfortunately for the former First Team All-ACC defensive back, he’s seen a slight dip in production this year, which could be great value for Carolina in the third round if defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero can develop the versatile prospect. ROUND FOUR, PICK NO. 112: JAKE GOLDAY (LB, CINCINNATI) Aaron Doster-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/fe72063b-96a6-4321-b16d-e1cc1ae6c14f.jpeg] Aaron Doster-Imagn Images Staying on the defensive side of the ball, Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday is the perfect fit for Evero’s defense in the future. It’s been made clear that the Panthers’ linebacker unit needs multiple upgrades for the 2026 season, and Golday’s versatility would give the defense an all-around playmaker in the middle of the field. Golday is an excellent defender against the run and has the ability to play within the slot, giving Evero plenty of options to utilize his skillset. ROUND FOUR, PICK NO. 118 (VIA KC)*: CHASE BISONTIS (IOL, TEXAS A&M) Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/b205fe11-fc11-457a-ae45-f9a2bcc4a4c3.jpeg] Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images *Trade with New England for Chuba Hubbard Carolina running back Rico Dowdle continues to prove himself as a potential lead back for the future, which could force Morgan to trade Chuba Hubbard [https://roundtable.io/sports/nfl/panthers/news/panthers-hc-reveals-future-outlook-for-team-s-running-back-situation] at the deadline. Assuming Hubbard goes for roughly a fourth-round pick (deal also includes a late day three pick going to New England), the Panthers could find themselves additional support up front with Texas A&M’s Chase Bisontis. The offensive line, similar to the defense, is beginning to make progress, but adding Bisontis gives head coach Dave Canales depth within the trenches. ROUND FIVE, PICK NO. 151: TIM KEENAN III (IDL, ALABAMA)
