Carolina Panthers prepares for NFL Draft

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan said their 2026 draft strategy is to keep an open mind about the 19th overall pick, either taking the best player available or considering a trade.

Dan Morgan did most of his roster’s heavy lifting in free agency. 

Within hours of the legal tampering period opening on March 9, three of the Carolina Panthers general manager’s biggest positional targets were finalized with the signing of pass-rush specialist Jaelan Phillips, versatile inside linebacker Devin Lloyd and left tackle Rasheed Walker, who is expected to replace the injured Ikem Ekwonu at left tackle. 

Did the early offseason success narrow his pre-draft focus? Morgan disagreed. 

"If anything, I think it opens up a lot of possibilities," Morgan said Tuesday at Bank of America Stadium. "I think all positions are on the table. And like I said before, you never know who's gonna fall down to us. 
"So, I think we're definitely in the best-player available mindset. So, yeah, I think what we did in free agency set us up to do that." 

Draft options 

The Panthers are scheduled to pick No. 19 overall when the three-day draft opens April 23 in Pittsburgh. Most NFL insiders project the Panthers to pick an edge rusher or offensive tackle. 

Morgan did not rule out drafting a wide receiver in the first round for a third straight draft or moving down in the draft via trade to acquire additional assets. 

“We’re in a good spot,” he said. “We’re ready for all scenarios.” 

After going 2-15 during in 2023, Morgan and coach Dave Canales guided a rebuild to five wins in 2024 and an eight last season, highlighted by Carolina’s first NFC South title since 2015. 

During Tuesday’s wide-ranging discussion, Morgan detailed a series of offseason thoughts with the draft approaching: 

* Regarding the Panthers hosting Top 30 visits over the next week, Morgan said he wanted to take a personal approach to getting to know the prospects. 

* “I think really it’s us getting to know guys,” Morgan said. “I feel like if you’re going to miss on a guy, you’re going to miss because you don’t know what he's about from a personal character standpoint, and you don't know what he's about from a football standpoint.” 

• On the possibility of drafting another wideout after selecting Tetairoa McMillan No. 8 overall last year and Xavier Legette at No. 32 in 2024, Morgan didn’t deny there was at least minimal interest in providing quarterback Bryce Young with another playmaking target.

“No,” Morgan replied honestly when asked if that made it less likely. "I think with anything, we're going to take the best player. So if the best player we feel is that at 19, I wouldn't hesitate to draft another wideout.” 

• Morgan addressed the future at defensive tackle after releasing A’Shawn Robinson in a cost-cutting move before the start of the new league year. Will Morgan add a developmental piece to work with standout Derrick Brown? 

“In terms of the defensive tackle class, I feel pretty good about it,” he said. “I think it’s a little top-heavy, but I think there are guys we like. If the opportunity arises, we would definitely have competition and depth there.” 

• In his first two seasons as GM, Morgan swung seven draft-related trades and anticipates adding to that total. 

“I think we, philosophically, we have an open-minded mindset,” he said. “We’re open to anything, whether it’s moving back, whether it’s moving up, if we feel like a guy can be an impact player for us, I do think all options are on the table.”

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