2026 NFL Draft

A little Panthers' cap talk...

https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/carolina-panthers/panthers-facing-salary-cap-choices/

 

Here's another mock. If we landed some of these guys I would be pretty happy.

 

In all seriousness, there's no way Styles drops to 19. Dallas needs a Linebacker, so does Tampa Bay. The Jets do too, and they pick at 16, but if they take Reese at three I doubt they double dip on OSU LBs. Anyway, the next blue-chipper at LB is CJ Allen, who would be a pretty big reach at 19 but in the high 20s he's good value. And Anthony Hill Jr. will go in the second, but he won't last to 51. So if we want a day one starter at LB then Morgan is going to have to move our position around.

I think that in the first though, we're going to go get a LT or an Edge rusher. Ickey is done at LT, even if he returns to form. He will likely kick inside and become Lewis' heir apparent. So if we're on the clock and Kaydn Proctor is there, it will surprise no one if he's the pick. If we go edge, Cashius Howell is likely going to be around at 19 but he's not going to be an every down player. My vote would be for Proctor if he's there.

 

I've been snowed in and bored so I'm starting my own Top 50 board. This is version 0.0.1



1 Rueben Bain Jr. DE MIAMI FL
2 David Bailey OLB TEXAS TECH
3 Fernando Mendoza QB INDIANA
4 Caleb Downs S OHIO STATE
5 Jeremiyah Love HB NOTRE DAME
6 Sonny Styles LB OHIO STATE
7 Jordyn Tyson WR ARIZONA ST
8 Carnell Tate WR OHIO STATE
9 Arvell Reese LB OHIO STATE
10 Makai Lemon WR USC
11 Spencer Fano T UTAH
12 Francis Mauigoa T MIAMI FL
13 Mansoor Delane CB LSU
14 Peter Woods DT CLEMSON
15 Cashius Howell OLB TEXAS A&M
16 Jermod McCoy CB TENNESSEE
17 Caleb Banks DT FLORIDA
18 Kenyon Sadiq TE OREGON
19 Avieon Terrell CB CLEMSON
20 Keldric Faulk DE AUBURN
21 Kayden McDonald DT OHIO STATE
22 Olaivavega Ioane G PENN STATE
23 T.J. Parker DE CLEMSON
24 Denzel Boston WR WASHINGTON
25 Caleb Lomu T UTAH
26 KC Concepcion WR TEXAS A&M
27 Akheem Mesidor DE MIAMI
28 CJ Allen LB GEORGIA
29 Christen Miller DT GEORGIA
30 Monroe Freeling T GEORGIA
31 Brandon Cisse CB S CAROLINA
32 Kadyn Proctor G ALABAMA
33 A.J. Haulcy S LSU
34 Keith Abney II CB ARIZONA ST
35 R Mason Thomas DE OKLAHOMA
36 Dillon Thieneman S OREGON
37 Anthony Hill Jr. LB TEXAS
38 Gabe Jacas DE ILLINOIS
39 Germie Bernard WR ALABAMA
40 Emmanuel McNeil-Warren S TOLEDO
41 Emmanuel Pregnon G OREGON
42 Eli Stowers TE VANDERBILT
43 Zion Young DE MISSOURI
44 Deontae Lawson LB ALABAMA
45 Colton Hood CB TENNESSEE
46 LT Overton DE ALABAMA
47 Lee Hunter DT TEXAS TECH
48 Keionte Scott CB MIAMI FL
49 Ty Simpson QB ALABAMA
50 D'Angelo Ponds CB INDIANA

 

If GMs around the league think like you do, then we're going to end up with Sadiq or a cornerback. Keldric Faulk is enticing, but there's no production to match the measurables and that's kind of a red flag to me.

 

I like Sadiq but we'll see. It's early. He's got some of XL's brain fart plays, but as a TE, he'll get clear open on linebackers and safeties. He's a good blocker for a smallish guy.

 

You think Proctor is going to play Guard?

 

Yeah, sorry, I should have led with that. I put the position I'm projecting them to play in the NFL.

That's also why I delineated between DE and OLB within the "edge" category. DE is three point stance, moving forward 99.9% of the time. Some of them might even add weight and play inside full time. OLBs can probably do some of the drop stuff in a 3-4. I have no idea how to designate Reese yet so I just left him at LB

 

If another TE is drafted I will scream.

 

I hope we trade down into the late 20's and pick up another 2nd.
Maybe the Rams want the Alabama QB as successor to Stafford or something.

Late twenties. Zion Young might be the guy
2nd round, we pick up an OT and LB Golday from Cincinnati