This Carolina Panthers mock draft will attempt to improve a team that won the division, but did it with a losing record (8-9). The team was unimpressive in every way possible. They averaged 18.3 points per game (27th in the NFL) and gave up 22.4 (15th). They recorded 5,025 yards of offense (27th) and gave up 5,563 (16th). The defense managed just 30 sacks (28th) and 93 pressures on the year (31st). Basically, their best stats ranked middle of the pack, and their worst were at the bottom of the league.
The Panthers tried to solidify their defense in free agency, bringing in Devin Lloyd and Jaelen Phillips, but there is more work to be done. They need help on both sides of the ball, and the biggest question surrounding the team is at the most important position. Bryce Young showed improvement last season, but it’s hard to imagine it being worse than the year before.
Young’s fifth-year option has not been exercised, and he could be one of five offensive starters who hit the free agent market in 2027. This draft will need to find people who can fill the holes next year, if not this year. There are no trades in this mock draft, so the Panthers will pick where currently slated to. They have selections in the first (19), second (51), third (83), fourth (119), fifth (158 and 159), and sixth (200) rounds.
