Panthers GM Dan Morgan may slightly disagree with HC Dave Canales' thoughts on 19th pick
Panthers HC Dave Canales recently stated he doesn't want to draft for depth at Pick 19. GM Dan Morgan was asked about that approach on Tuesday.
Maybe depth is still on the table after all for the Carolina Panthers and their 2026 first-round pick. During the NFL Annual League Meeting in Phoenix, Ariz. two weeks ago, head coach Dave Canales told reporters that he doesn't believe in drafting for depth—at least as far as this year's 19th overall selection goes.
But president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan, who held his pre-draft press conference on Tuesday morning, seems to slightly disagree. "I understand what Coach is saying in terms of—obviously, you want your first-round pick to be able to come in and contribute immediately. So, yeah, I'm kinda with him on that," Morgan replied when asked of Canales' comments.
"You want your first-round pick to play, but there's different scenarios to where maybe it takes a guy a little longer to develop, and he may not contribute right away. With some of the picks at different positions, it may take a little longer for those guys to develop, for sure. " That depth debate may be pertinent to Carolina's situation at both of their offensive tackle spots.
Their two starting-caliber left tackles, Ikem Ekwonu and Rasheed Walker, are slated to become free agents in 2027 while right tackle Taylor Moton could be a cap casualty following what will be his 10th NFL campaign. If Morgan and the Panthers go that route with the 19th pick next Thursday night, some potential targets could include Georgia's Monroe Freeling, Alabama's Kadyn Proctor, Clemson's Blake Miller and Utah's Caleb Lomu. Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.