The Carolina Panthers' final 2026 NFL mock draft includes key picks like safety Dillon Thieneman and wide receiver Chris Brazzell II. This draft aims to enhance the team's competitiveness in the NFC.
Key points
Panthers have the 19th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
Dillon Thieneman is projected as a top safety pick.
Chris Brazzell II is a wide receiver with game-changing speed.
Dan Morgan aims to enhance both offense and defense.
The draft includes undrafted free agent targets.
Carolina Panthers
Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II (17) yells in celebration after scoring a touchdown during a NCAA football game between Tennessee and Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, on September 13, 2025.
Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II (17) yells in celebration after scoring a touchdown during a NCAA football game between Tennessee and Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, on September 13, 2025. Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Final 2026 NFL mock draft for the Carolina Panthers starting with the 19th overall pick in the first-round, including high priority undrafted free agent targets to watch.
Draft week is finally here and the Carolina Panthers can look to put the finishing touches on what was already a stellar offseason in an effort to turn the team into a serious threat in the NFC.
If the Panthers can come out of this week with more impact starters on both sides off the ball, this roster will be ready to compete and make some serious noise in 2026. This mock draft does exactly that using all of the information gathered through the pre-draft process.
Round 1, pick 19: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
The closer we get to the draft, the more likely this looks for Carolina. However, the only team that has a strong shot to crush this dream is the Minnesota Vikings with the 18th overall pick, although the Vikings could also be the team to land Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq.
If Minnesota goes the latter route, the Panthers will run in the card to draft Thieneman. He’s a do-it-all safety and would immediately be one of the team’s top safeties in franchise history. He’s versatile enough to play deep or in the box which can allow the Panthers to mix-n-match in the secondary with Thieneman being the chess piece.
Round 2, pick 51: Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
After missing out on top WRs in the first-round, the Panthers still land a top playmaker on offense in Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell II. This guy has true 4.3 speed at 6-4 with the ability to literally change games.
Adding that kind of weapon to the offense alongside Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, and Jalen Coker can really make this offense lethal and one that can finally compete against some of the top teams in the conference.
Q&A
Who are the top draft picks for the Carolina Panthers in 2026?
The top draft picks include Dillon Thieneman, a safety from Oregon, and Chris Brazzell II, a wide receiver from Tennessee.
What positions are the Carolina Panthers focusing on in the 2026 NFL draft?
The Panthers are focusing on safety, wide receiver, linebacker, tight end, and defensive tackle in the 2026 NFL draft.
How does Chris Brazzell II impact the Panthers' offense?
Chris Brazzell II brings 4.3 speed and 6-4 height, making him a potential game-changer alongside other offensive weapons.
What is the significance of Dan Morgan's role in the Panthers' offseason?
Dan Morgan's leadership has been crucial in shaping the Panthers' roster to become a serious NFC contender through strategic draft choices.
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It’s very likely within the first three selections that the Panthers end up with another linebacker to add to the middle of the defense. General manager Dan Morgan is committed to making that position elite again and already took one step toward doing that after signing Devin Lloyd.
However, the way the board worked out, Carolina missed out on Jacob Rodriguez and Anthony Hill Jr. in the second-round. In the third, Kyle Louis can still bring plenty of juice and speed. His skill set is valuable this day in age as a hybrid LB/box defender.
Round 4, pick 119: Justin Joly, TE, NC State
The Panthers have done extensive work on tight ends prospects in various ranges of the draft to be prepared for any possibility. One thing is clear, Carolina will add a new big-bodied pass catcher to shake up the room. Will it be Kenyon Sadiq, Oscar Delp, or a Day 3 guy like Justin Joly or Dae’Quan Wright is the question.
For this final mock, Joly ended up being my pick. Underdog’s Josh Norris brought up legit concern with Joly’s athletic profile and similarities to Ja’Tavion Sanders. If anything, I view him as Sanders’ replacement whom the Panthers can hopefully get more out of.
7 minutes on NC State TE Justin Joly
🔴⚪️
A move/receiving tight end with a below-average athletic profile
I guarantee one of Carolina’s fifth-round picks will be used on a rotational interior defensive lineman to replace A’Shawn Robinson. The Panthers met with three fifth-round projected IDLs in Tyler Onyedim, Chris McClellan, and Nick Barrett.
Size-wise, Onyedim is a close comp to Robinson and a safe prospect without any real flaws. I’d consider him to be the better of the three prospects mentioned that will be a dependable rotational piece.
Round 5, pick 159: Beau Stephens, G, Iowa
With the other fifth-round pick, pretty much take your pick of what backup guard to choose. I’ve previously been bullish on DJ Campbell being my target here. Instead, I’ll change things up and go with Beau Stephens.
Stephens is a sound pass protector and mauler in the run game. If anything were to happen to Damien Lewis or Rob Hunt again, the Panthers can sleep tight knowing they’d have someone like him ready to step in with experience at both guard spots.
Round 6, pick 200: Haynes King, QB, Georgia Tech
I’ve had Haynes King penciled in for weeks now as the long-term QB2 the Panthers will look to target late in this draft after meeting with a handful of options. After hearing everything general manager Dan Morgan said he’s looking for in the job, King is the ideal fit to join the room behind Bryce Young and Kenny Pickett.
In Year 1, King can actually be impactful in a Taysom Hill-like role in short-yardage situations and after 2026 he’ll be fully integrated as the QB2.
What makes a great backup QB?
With the #Panthers wanting to shake up their QB depth chart behind Bryce Young, I asked a handful of QB prospects for their takes.
**Jaren Kump, C, Utah:** Played all five positions during his college career, including his final two seasons as the starting center. Praised as a high IQ player.
**Marcus Allen, CB, UNC:** Long outside cornerback with veteran instincts. Played under Bill Belichick during his final season at UNC.
**Tristan Leigh, OT, Clemson:** Local talent and former Top-20 recruit. Met with the Panthers at the Shrine Bowl. Would be solid depth at left tackle.
