Rumor Tracker: Carolina Panthers, 2026 NFL Draft
All of the Panthers draft rumors, in a single spot.
We’ve made it to draft week. In celebration, SportCLT will be tracking every single Panthers rumor this week.
This list will continue to be updated, with the most recent rumors closest to the top of the page.
Everything you read here will be from credentialed and sourced individuals with a track record of accurately reporting on the Carolina Panthers.
Over the Weekend - Monday 7:30 AM ET Update
Albert Breer: “If there’s something that really moves the needle in the first round this year from a trade standpoint, I think it’s how the tackles come off the board… With so many teams having a need at the position and the position being of such great value, my guess is that the well running dry could provoke some movement.
The alley of picks where it could happen, as I see it anyway, is Baltimore at 14, Detroit at 17, Carolina at 19, Pittsburgh at 21, Philly at 23, Cleveland at 24 and Chicago at 25. If, say, after 13 picks, Mauigoa and Fano are gone and the five others are left, and you have these seven teams looming as potential suitors, it’s possible you get a little game of leapfrog going.
And teams like the Buccaneers and Jets could be beneficiaries of that.”
In Todd McShay’s pre-draft intel podcast, he had some interesting remarks about the Panthers regarding Oregon DB Dillon Thieneman:
The exact quote: “I hear Carolina has got a lot of love for Dillon Thieneman. But is he getting to 19?”
Joe Person in his most recent article for the Athletic: “If Thieneman is available and the first round hasn’t gotten too funky, he’s the Panthers’ pick.”
Person later clarified on Twitter:
Person also said of Miami EDGE Akheem Mesidor: “Mesidor’s age takes him out of the running.”
Person also clarified on an earlier report from Cameron Wolfe (NFL Network) who indicated Makai Lemon may have visited the Panthers.