Panthers Day 2 mock draft: Who could join Freeling in second round of 2026 class?
The Panthers beefed up their offensive line depth chart on Thursday.
Carolina added Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling with the 19th overall pick in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. With six more selections to use, general manager Dan Morgan will look to make his depth chart better across the board.
Friday’s second and third rounds will be important for Morgan’s overall mission to improve the squad.
Last year, the GM was aggressive and traded up in both rounds to double-dip at outside linebacker. Nic Scourton, last year’s second-round pick, worked his way into becoming a full-time starter by the middle of last season and co-led the team with five sacks.
With that in mind, The Charlotte Observer decided to get out the crystal ball (again) and project the potential routes Carolina could go on Day 2:
Panthers Day 2 mock draft
TRADE with Indianapolis: The Panthers swap 51st (second) and 158th (fifth round via MIN) overall picks with the Colts for the 47th (second) overall pick.
Second round (47th overall): Jacob Rodriguez, ILB, Texas Tech
The Panthers still need to improve the middle of their defense. Even after adding Devin Lloyd in free agency, one could argue that the inside linebacker room isn’t a finished product.
Enter Rodriguez, who is a playmaking machine. The Bronko Nagurski award-winner filled up the stat sheet last season, producing 128 total tackles (11 for loss), six pass breakups, four interceptions and seven forced fumbles.
With Trevin Wallace coming off season-ending shoulder surgery, Rodriguez could supplant him in the lineup, purely based on his playmaking skills. Rodriguez fits Morgan’s “dawg” playing style, and his ability to take the ball away is elite at his position.
A slight move up the board, for the cost of a fifth-round pick, is aggressive enough to land Lloyd a long-term partner in the middle of the lineup.
Third round (83rd overall): Bud Clark, S, TCU
Safety is still an issue after the Panthers passed on Dillon Thieneman — who went to the Chicago Bears at No. 25 on Thursday — for Freeling. Carolina could use a versatile defender who can play the post position and occasionally man the slot spot.
Clark is a strong coverage defender who had 15 interceptions during his final four college seasons. The three-time team captain should also fit with the team’s culture, and he has plenty of special teams experience as well.
The 6-foot-1, 188-pound defensive back feels like a worthwhile long-term successor for Nick Scott. Even if he didn’t win a starting job during his rookie training camp, Clark could easily have an immediate role on special teams and in sub packages.
He has the makeup and playmaking skills to benefit Carolina in the long run.
