NFL Mock Draft: How Carolina Panthers can get better at wide receiver, safety
The Carolina Panthers have a lot of work to do this weekend. And with seven selections in the first six rounds, they’ll be able to a reinforce a roster that was enhanced by a couple of big free-agent signings.
With Thursday’s first round right around the corner, The Charlotte Observer took one more spin of the wheel with its third and final mock draft before the selection process kicks off (8 p.m. on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network).
Round 1
19th overall: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana
Post-free agency mock draft pick: Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon
Pre-free agency mock draft pick: Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
If Thieneman is still in play at No. 19, this beat writer thinks the Panthers should pounce. However, the Oregon safety might not make it there, and with that somewhat likely scenario taking shape, the Panthers should look to upgrade their depth chart in any way they can.
General manager Dan Morgan famously said last week that there’s no rule against selecting a wide receiver in the first round of three consecutive drafts. The Detroit Lions notably did the hat trick of wide receiver first-rounders from 2003 to 2005 to mixed results. Perhaps, after having so much success with Tetairoa McMillan, Morgan will lean heavily (again) on the wide receiver-friendly offensive coaching staff to develop another pass-catcher.
Cooper was the top wideout for the national champions last year. While he was primarily used in the slot in 2025, he has plenty of experience on the outside as well. Cooper is a tough-as-nails runner with yards-after-catch grit and elusiveness in the open field. He also has kick-return experience stemming from his early days with the Hoosiers.
While he isn’t a burner, Cooper can be used effectively in space on screens and on crossing routes. He accelerates in the open field, and he was even used out of the backfield as a ball-carrier at times during his college career.
Over the past three seasons, Cooper averaged 15.6 yards per catch, while producing 115 receptions for 1,798 yards and 22 touchdowns. The 6-foot, 199-pound wideout also had 97 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just five carries.
Round 2
51st overall: A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
Post-free agency mock draft pick: Germie Bernard, WR, Alabama
Pre-free agency mock draft pick: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
The Panthers need to address safety at some point this weekend. While Nick Scott has proven to be a reliable player in the defensive backfield, the Panthers should try to upgrade over him for the long haul. Haulcy would fit that bill.
The LSU standout has ballhawking skills that should entice the Panthers’ defensive staff. He’s also not afraid to do the dirty work in the tackle box. Haulcy can be moved around the secondary in nickel packages, which should open up Tre’von Moehrig during pre-snap looks. Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero can scheme up mix-and-match looks for the pair to work in concert together in a variety of different zone coverages.
Haulcy is well-traveled, as he started his college career at New Mexico before heading to Houston and eventually LSU. During his many travels, the 5-foot-11, 215-pound defensive back collected 346 total tackles, 17 pass breakups, 10 interceptions and four forced fumbles in four seasons.
Round 3
83rd overall: Tyler Onyedim, DT/DE, Texas A&M
Post-free agency mock draft pick: Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State
Pre-free agency mock draft pick: Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
Morgan called the interior defensive line class “top-heavy” during his pre-draft press conference last week. That likely means the Panthers have to select one in their first three rounds if they are hoping for a ready-made talent.
Onyedim feels like a solid long-term A’Shawn Robinson replacement. The 6-foot-3, 292-pound lineman has excellent length (34-inch arms) at the position. He’s also got plenty of experience, as he spent four years at Iowa State before playing his final season with the Aggies. Last year, he collected 48 total tackles, 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Onyedim would likely rotate with Turk Wharton at defensive end and defensive tackle opposite Derrick and Bobby Brown.
Round 4
119th overall: Travis Burke, OT, Memphis
Post-free agency mock draft pick: Kaleb Proctor, DE, Southeastern Louisiana
Pre-free agency mock draft pick: Logan Jones, C, Iowa
While offensive tackle is clearly a long-term need, the Panthers have done enough to wait on their left or right tackle of the future if they so choose. Burke has the ability and experience to come in and immediately serve as the team’s swing tackle in 2026.
The 6-foot-8, 325-pound lineman has started at both tackle positions in college. He started out at Gardner-Webb before heading to Florida International and then settled in at Memphis last season. During those travels, he started 17 games at right tackle and 29 at left tackle. He was named first-team All-American Conference as the Tigers’ starting right tackle last year.
Burke could be developed into a future starter at right tackle with Taylor Moton’s contract running through 2027. Given his Day 3 status, the Panthers won’t feel compelled to rush him into starter duty.
Round 5
158th overall (via Minnesota): Jager Burton, C/G, Kentucky
Post-free agency mock draft pick: Kaleb Elarms-Orr, ILB, TCU
Pre-free agency mock draft pick: George Gumbs, OLB, Florida
The Panthers signed Luke Fortner in free agency in March. They also like last year’s backup center Nick Samac. But it just feels like the Panthers will add an interior lineman in this draft, one way or another.
Burton is known primarily as a center, but at 6-4 and 312 pounds, the athletic lineman has guard versatility as well. He started at all three interior positions for the Wildcats during his four-year career, including 23 starts at left guard. He also ran an impressive 4.94-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine with a 1.76-second 10-yard split.
The fifth round feels like a good time to jump at a young guard or center prospect. Burton will be among the best options, especially for the Panthers’ zone blocking scheme.
159th overall: Joe Royer, TE, Cincinnati
Post-free agency mock draft pick: Josh Cuevas, TE, Alabama
Pre-free agency mock draft pick: Eric Rivers, WR, Georgia Tech
The Panthers like their tight end room, but that doesn’t mean they can’t add competition to it.
While Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans have formed a nice inline platoon, Ja’Tavion Sanders has struggled with injuries and inconsistency over the past two seasons. Adding another pass-catching weapon on Day 3 could help get the most out of Sanders and the tight-end rotation.
Royer, listed as 6-5 and 247 pounds, was a two-year standout at Cincinnati after transferring from Ohio State in 2024. During that span, he caught 79 passes for 938 yards and seven touchdowns.
Royer, in theory, could rotate with Sanders opposite Tremble and Evans and serve as another weapon over the middle for Bryce Young.
Round 6
200th overall: Jimmy Rolder, ILB, Michigan
Post-free agency mock draft pick: Hezekiah Masses, CB, California
Pre-free agency mock draft pick: Luke Altmyer, QB, Illinois
The Panthers have a solid depth chart at inside linebacker with Devin Lloyd joining the group in free agency. Trevin Wallace is expected to start opposite Lloyd, barring a notable upgrade in the draft, and Claudin Cherelus and Bam Martin-Scott are seen as core special-teams players with defensive upside. But, like with tight end, the room could use some enhanced competition.
Rolder, an inexperienced but effective linebacker, could be an immediate impact player on special teams. He could also be groomed to replace Wallace in the lineup if Wallace struggles in his third season as a starter. While Rolder only made 11 career starts for the Wolverines, he produced 73 total tackles, two sacks and an interception during his final year with the program.
The 6-foot-2, 238-pound defender is an impressive athlete, too. He posted a 36-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-11 broad jump at the combine. He also had a 7-second 3-cone drill.
Special-teams coordinator Tracy Smith would probably dig this selection.
