Panthers' 2026 NFL Draft: Balanced Haul for NFC South

0:00On April 23rd, the 2026 NFL Draft kicks off tonight in Pittsburgh, and the Carolina Panthers are picking 19s overall in the first. Round is their first time since 2019, without a top 10 slot. This mock draft has them grabbing wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. from Indiana at 19, safety AJ. Halsey from LSU at 51 in Round 2, and defensive lineman Dominique Orange from Iowa State at 83 in Round 3. They follow up in Round 4, pick 1-19, with tight in Justin Jolie from North Carolina State. Then in Round 5, they snack offensive lineman Carver Willis from Washington at 158, and linebacker Jack Kelly from BYU right after at 1. 59. Round 6 brings another defensive lineman, Dante Corleone, from Cincinnati at 200. Fans are buzzing about addressing slot receiver production and defensive depth, especially up front, where injuries have hit hard. Coach Dave can now as his run first offense gets a boost with Willis' versatility on the line, while Evro's defense could use Halsey's ball skills and Orange's run stopping right away.

1:10These picks target immediate rotation help without reaching, like doubling up on the D line to fix thin spots. Tight in stays a work in progress after missing out on bigger names. Overall, it's a bounced haul focusing on athletes who fit the scheme, setting Carolina up to compete sooner than later in the NFC South. I'm Corey with the story, and you've been listening to NFL News Today, AI Power Football Coverage.