2026 Carolina Panthers Mock Draft: 7-Round Projection
Draft Capital: 7 picks | Overall Grade: B Last Updated: September 07, 2026Overview
Carolina Panthers enter the 2026 NFL Draft with 7 selections. Biggest needs: Quarterback, Cornerback, Linebacker.
Complete Draft Class:Ohio State
— Grade C
Missouri
— Grade C-
Texas Tech
— Grade C-
View Full 3-Round Mock Draft →---
Complete Pick-by-Pick Analysis
Pick #9 - Carolina Panthers: Ellis Robinson IV, Cornerback, Georgia
Rank: #11 overall | Grade: A- Why This Pick:Critical need filled. Carolina Panthers desperately needed Cornerback help (need #2), and Ellis Robinson IV was the best available at this spot. This pick addresses an immediate roster weakness.
The Fit:Ellis Robinson IV brings immediate impact to Carolina Panthers. Ellis Robinson IV arrived in Athens as the consensus No. 1 cornerback in the 2024 class and one of the top three overall recruits in the country, a five-star Connecticut native who built his prep resume between Iona Prep and IMG Academy. After a reds... His best trait—long arms allow him to squeeze throwing windows and contest at the catch point—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Jaylon Johnson (ball skills and zone feel from a wiry boundary corner)-type player at the NFL level.
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Pick #37 - Carolina Panthers: Sammy Brown, Linebacker, Clemson
Rank: #37 overall | Grade: B Why This Pick:Critical need filled. Carolina Panthers desperately needed Linebacker help (need #3), and Sammy Brown was the best available at this spot. This pick addresses an immediate roster weakness.
The Fit:Sammy Brown brings immediate impact to Carolina Panthers. Sammy Brown is a downhill box linebacker who arrived at Clemson as the 2023 High School Butkus Award winner and a consensus five-star, and he has played up to the billing. He claimed ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2024 with 87 tackles, 11.5 TFL... His best trait—elite production for a true freshman and sophomore: 194 tackles, 25.0 tfl and 10.0 sacks across 27 games—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Trenton Simpson (fellow athletic Clemson LB with downhill burst)-type player at the NFL level.
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Pick #73 - Carolina Panthers: Sam Leavitt, Quarterback, LSU
Rank: #98 overall | Grade: C+ Why This Pick:Critical need filled. Carolina Panthers desperately needed Quarterback help (need #1), and Sam Leavitt was the best available at this spot. This pick addresses an immediate roster weakness.
The Fit:Sam Leavitt brings immediate impact to Carolina Panthers. Sam Leavitt is a dual-threat quarterback from West Linn, Oregon, who carries football bloodlines through his family tree and proved his pedigree quickly after transferring from Michigan State to Arizona State. Under coach Kenny Dillingham, he transfo... His best trait—elite ball security with only five turnover-worthy throws in 2024 (1.1% rate, tied third-best among 156 qualifying fbs quarterbacks)—fits perfectly with what this team needs. Projects as a Josh Allen early-career development arc (off-schedule creativity and pocket improvisation without elite wingspan)-type player at the NFL level.
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Pick #105: Junior Sherrill (Wide Receiver, Vanderbilt) - Grade C. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential. Pick #111: Jaylen McClain (Safety,Ohio State
) - Grade C. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.
Pick #169: Brett Norfleet (Tight End,Missouri
) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.
Pick #201: Howard Sampson (Offensive Tackle,Texas Tech
) - Grade C-. Day 3 value pick. Depth addition with special teams potential.
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Draft Class Summary
Overall Grade: B | 7 positions addressed across 7 picks.---