Experts make final predictions for Panthers' 2026 1st-round pick
We curated the final first-round predictions for the Panthers from the mock drafts of 30 experts. Here are the results . .
.
In contrast to the previous handful of years, the forecast on the Carolina Panthers ' first-round pick is a bit cloudy. Instead of choosing from a few of the very top prospects within the top 10 slots of the draft, their position in 2026—at 19th overall—could present a wealth of different avenues. In fact, president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan conveyed as much—stating last week that " all positions " are on the table for Thursday night.
So, what positions and players do the sport's top experts see the Panthers taking in the opening round of this year's selection process? Here—via a group of 30 insiders, reporters and analysts—are the final predictions for Carolina's first-round pick: Bucky Brooks ( NFL Media ): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon Dane Brugler ( The Athletic ): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon Eric Edholm ( NFL Media ): Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama Josh Edwards ( CBS Sports ): Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State Mike Florio ( Pro Football Talk ): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon Danny Heifetz ( The Ringer ): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon Nathan Jahnke ( Pro Football Focus ): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo Daniel Jeremiah ( NFL Media ): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon Mike Kaye ( The Charlotte Observer ): Omar Cooper Jr. , WR, Indiana Danny Kelly ( The Ringer ): Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (Fla.
) Mel Kiper Jr. ( ESPN ): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo Dave Kluge (Footballguys): Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn Diante Lee ( The Ringer ): Makai Lemon, WR, USC Todd McShay ( The Ringer ): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon Matt Miller ( ESPN ): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon Josh Norris ( Underdog Sports ): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon Conor Orr ( Sports Illustrated ): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo Joe Person ( The Athletic ): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon Rob Rang ( FOX Sports ): Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama Jordan Reid ( ESPN ): Omar Cooper Jr. , WR, Indiana Mike Renner ( CBS Sports ): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee Chad Reuter ( NFL Media ): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon Connor Rogers ( NBC Sports ): Makai Lemon, WR, USC Keith Sanchez ( The Draft Network ): Spencer Fano, OL, Utah Peter Schrager ( ESPN ): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M Evan Silva ( Establish The Run ): Monroe Freeling, OL, Georgia Nate Tice ( Yahoo Sports ): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon Ryan Wilson ( CBS Sports ): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon Hayden Winks ( Underdog Sports ): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon Lance Zierlein ( NFL Media ): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M Totals: Thieneman: 7 Sadiq: 6 McNeil-Warren: 3 Concepcion: 2 Cooper: 2 Lemon: 2 Proctor: 2 Fano: 1 Freeling: 1 Johnson: 1 McCoy: 1 Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.