2026 Carolina Panthers Mock Draft: 7-Round Projection
Draft Capital: 7 picks | Overall Grade: B Last Updated: June 08, 2026Overview
Carolina Panthers enter the 2026 NFL Draft with 7 selections. Biggest needs: Edge Rusher, Defensive Line, Linebacker.
Complete Draft Class:---
Complete Pick-by-Pick Analysis
Pick #19 - Carolina Panthers: Keldric Faulk, Edge Rusher, Auburn
Rank: #20 overall | Grade: A- Why This Pick:Critical need filled. Carolina Panthers desperately needed Edge Rusher help (need #1), and Keldric Faulk was the best available at this spot. This pick addresses an immediate roster weakness.
The Fit:Keldric Faulk brings immediate impact to Carolina Panthers. Keldric Faulk is a 6'6", 285-pound edge prospect whose impressive size and youth at only 20 years old give him the tools to be an impact player at the next level. Faulk arrived at Auburn as a 4-star recruit in the 2023 class, became a starter halfway... His best trait—great size and nfl-ready body with very long arms—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Carlos Dunlap with similar size-power profile-type player at the NFL level.
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Pick #51 - Carolina Panthers: Anthony Hill Jr, Inside Linebacker, Texas
Rank: #53 overall | Grade: B- Why This Pick:Best player available. Carolina Panthers needed Edge Rusher help, but Anthony Hill Jr (ranked #53) represents elite value here. You can't pass on top-tier talent when it falls to you.
The Fit:Anthony Hill Jr brings immediate impact to Carolina Panthers. Anthony Hill Jr. is widely considered the best off-ball linebacker in the 2026 NFL Draft class-a rare combination of downhill thumping and sideline-to-sideline range that will translate immediately at the next level. At 6'1", 230 pounds, the Texas ju... His best trait—elite athleticism with sideline-to-sideline range—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Complete off-ball linebacker with three-down upside-type player at the NFL level.
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Pick #83 - Carolina Panthers: Bryce Lance, Wide Receiver, North Dakota State
Rank: #85 overall | Grade: C+ Why This Pick:Addresses key depth concern. While Wide Receiver wasn't the top priority, Bryce Lance's talent at #85 overall was too good to pass up. Sometimes value trumps need.
The Fit:Bryce Lance brings immediate impact to Carolina Panthers. Bryce Lance is a long, athletic wide receiver from North Dakota State and the younger brother of former No. 3 overall pick Trey Lance. The 6-3, 209-pound senior is a premier deep threat who averaged 21.2 yards per catch in 2025, using his excellent l... His best trait—excellent long speed and vertical ability -- premier deep threat averaging 21.2 ypc in 2025—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Z receiver with deep-ball ability and reliable han-type player at the NFL level.
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Pick #119: Justin Joly (Tight End, NC State) - Grade C. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #158: Taylen Green (Quarterback, Arkansas) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #159: Albert Regis (Defensive Line, Texas A&M) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #200: Matt Gulbin (Center, Michigan State) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.---
Draft Class Summary
Overall Grade: B | 7 positions addressed across 7 picks.---