What the Panthers’ 2026, 2027 draft inventory looks like after the Thielen trade
The Carolina Panthers pulled off a major post-cut deadline trade with the Minnesota Vikings on Wednesday, sending veteran wideout Adam Thielen back to the NFC North in a swap involving the exchange of four draft picks.
With Thielen, a conditional 2026 seventh-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick heading to Minnesota, the Panthers will receive a 2026 fifth-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick from the Vikings.
So, where does that swap leave the Panthers’ draft inventory in 2026 and 2027? Here’s a quick breakdown of the inventory for both offseasons as it stands right now:
Panthers’ 2026 draft pick inventory
- First round: Original
- Second round: Original
- Third round: Original
- Fourth round: Original
- Fifth round (2): Original, Minnesota’s pick
- Sixth round: Original
- The Panthers’ seventh-round pick was traded to Minnesota with a conditional designation.
Panthers’ 2027 draft pick inventory
- First round: Original
- Second round: Original
- Third round: Original
- Fourth round (2): Original, Minnesota’s pick
- Sixth round: Original
- Seventh round: Original
- The Panthers’ fifth-round pick in 2027 was traded to Minnesota outright.
This offseason, the Panthers entered the draft with nine picks and ultimately ended up using eight selections. All eight draft picks made the initial 53-man roster on Tuesday.
Three undrafted rookies, kicker Ryan Fitzgerald, cornerback Corey Thornton and linebacker Bam Martin-Scott, made the original depth chart as well.
This story was originally published August 27, 2025 at 11:27 AM.
