Panthers mock draft roundup: Projections for Day 2 of the 2026 draft
We've rounded up some fresh Day 2 mock drafts to gauge the projections on the Panthers' second- and third-round picks.
In retrospect, it seems that the beat reporters and many of the NFL draft analysts all had it wrong. Only ESPN's Dan Graziano nailed the Carolina Panthers ' plans going into the first round, naming them among the teams that were looking to take an offensive lineman on the first night of the 2026 NFL Draft. And they did, as the Panthers grabbed their potential franchise left tackle of the future in Monroe Freeling with this year's 19th overall selection .
Now, they have to address the more immediate needs that will help them defend their NFC South title. But who will they take when they're on the clock tonight? Let's round up some fresh Day 2 mock drafts to gauge the field .
. . USA Today Author : Jacob Camenker Pick 51 : D'Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana Take : The Panthers should consider finding an upgrade in the slot over Chau Smith-Wade.
Ponds doesn't exactly have prototypical NFL size at 5-9, 182 pounds, but he was hyper productive across three seasons at James Madison and Indiana, generating 169 tackles, seven interceptions and 33 pass defenses. Pick 83 : A. J.