Local college stars named ideal draft pairing for Panthers

The Carolina Panthers may not have to search too far for their perfect draft pairing. NFL. com's Eric Edholm recently named each team's ideal top two picks for 2026.

For the Panthers, he begins with Clemson University offensive tackle Blake Miller at the 19th overall spot: Carolina has never drafted a player out of Clemson. That streak would end here with Miller, who can replace Taylor Moton after this season and, at the very least, step in as a quality option if needed in the meantime. Moton has been an iron man for years, but the Panthers could add more athleticism up front.

In addition to making some history, taking this Tiger would give the Panthers an heir apparent to Moton—who has manned the right side in Carolina for eight seasons. The 6-foot-7, 317-pound Miller was a four-year starter as the right tackle for Clemson, and enters the pros as a two-time first-team All-ACC selection (2024, 2025). Edholm then goes two hours down the road to the University of South Carolina, where he nabs cornerback Brandon Cisse with the 51st selection: Their second pick, Cisse, also would be local, but that was strictly a coincidence.

Carolina could stand to add more depth and speed to its defensive back end, as well. Starters Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson both put in standout 2025 campaigns. But the depth behind them has proven to be a weakness, as displayed during Horn's late-game absence in the team's playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams.