Insider explains why Panthers passed up on top TE in Round 2 of 2026 draft

The Carolina Panthers continue to get rave reviews for their 2026 NFL Draft . However, no class is perfect, and there is always at least one very big omission in the bunch. Despite having a need at tight end, the Panthers decided to pass on taking one this year.

Of the 21 who were drafted last weekend, Carolina opted for a grand total of zero. Now, we at least have some information as to why they didn't take one specific tight end. According to ESPN insider Jeremy Fowler, the Panthers passed on Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers due to a bit of uncertainty: Carolina still has a glaring need at tight end that it didn't fill.

Stowers was on the board when Carolina picked at No. 49, but the Panthers weren't totally comfortable with the player there and liked the idea of pairing Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter with Pro Bowler Derrick Brown inside. There were nine tight ends taken just in the first three rounds alone.

The group was headlined by Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq, who went into last Thursday night as a favorite for Carolina's top pick. At this point in the offseason, the options are extremely limited as far as veterans go. When you count what it will cost to sign their draft picks, the Panthers are roughly $3 million in the red—so they don't have enough to sign a difference-maker here like a David Njoku or a Jonnu Smith.