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.
Tuesday 9:00 AM ET Update
Joe Person released his Panthers big board for the Athletic.
Among the interesting tidbits:
About Thieneman: “The Panthers would like to find an athletic, rangy safety to patrol the back end for Ejiro Evero while Tre’von Moehrig causes havoc in the box.”
About Omar Cooper: “Keep an eye on Cooper at 19 if Thieneman is off the board.”
On drafting a round one EDGE: “I’d be a little surprised if Morgan drafted an edge rusher in the first round.”
On Jermod McCoy: “The Panthers brought him in for a 30 visit, likely to check his medicals after a torn ACL ended his final season in Knoxville.”
On Treydan Stukes: “He has the size, speed and ball skills the Panthers like in their corners. His age (25) could be an issue.”
On CJ Allen: “The sense is the Panthers have other LBs higher on their board, but Allen’s three-down skill set merits consideration.”
On Deion Burks: “If the Panthers haven’t drafted a fast, shifty receiver by Saturday, Burks could be the guy.”
Monday 7:00 PM ET Update
Adam Schefter gave his thoughts on what the Carolina Panthers could do at No. 19.
“I don’t think [Kenyon Sadiq] makes it that far, personally. They still could go with another offensive lineman, I could see that being the case. There’s been talk about tight end later in the draft. Talk about wide receiver, but they’ve taken so many wide receivers up high, that I don’t know…
To me, it’s a trenches pick, that’s the one that makes the most sense.”
Full clip courtesy of Twitter user threesandtds24:
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.