Carolina Panthers NFL Draft 2026 pick tracker: Grades, fits and scouting reports

The Carolina Panthers entered the 2026 NFL Draft on April 23 with seven picks over the three-day draft. They left with five new defensive players, Dane Brugler’s No. 2 center prospect in the class and a new deep threat for the passing game.GM Dan Morgan and head coach Dave Canales kept the franchise’s offense-first drafting trend going on Thursday night by selecting Georgia tackle Monroe Freeling with the No. 19 pick. The Panthers took receivers (Tetairoa McMillan at No. 8 in 2025, Xavier Legette at No. 32 in 2024) in the first round in the past two drafts and QB Bryce Young No. 1 overall in 2023 and offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu at No. 6 in 2022. The last defensive player the franchise selected in the first round was CB Jaycee Horn at No. 8 in 2021.Advertisement