The Carolina Panthers have been amongst the NFL’s very worst at getting to the quarterback.

In 2024, they tied for the third-fewest sacks (32) and tallied the absolute lowest pressure rate (16.2 percent). In 2025—they, again, tied for the third-fewest sacks (30) and made a slight improvement in pressure rate . . . with the second-lowest mark (16.5 percent).

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So, it’s probably not a surprise that the latest 2026 mock drafts have the Panthers aiming for some firepower off the edge.

Here’s our latest roundup of first-round projections . . .

USA Today Sports

Pick: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

Author: Jacob Camenker

Take: The Panthers invested two Day 2 picks in edge rushers last season, but could still stand to add talent at the position. Faulk has a massive 6-6, 285-pound frame that could give him inside-outside versatility in Ejiro Evero’s defense. He’s also one of the draft’s youngest players and won’t turn 21 until September, giving him plenty of room for growth at the NFL level.

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NFL Media

Pick: Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

Author: Dan Parr

Take: Faulk won’t turn 21 until September and might require some patience as he acclimates to the next level. If it all comes together for him, he has the upside to provide the pass-rush juice Ejiro Evero needs from his defensive line.

ESPN

Pick: Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami

Author: Field Yates

Take: The Panthers addressed their pass-rush need last year by taking Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen in the second and third rounds, respectively. But no Panthers player reached the six-sack mark for the second straight season.

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Mesidor is a tenacious rusher who had 5.5 sacks and 16 pressures in Miami’s four CFP games. He has violent hands, a diverse arsenal of moves and a first step that throws tackles onto their heels. The complicating factor is that Mesidor will turn 25 before the draft. Would every team be comfortable taking him in the first round? I don’t believe so, but this is a worthwhile move for a roster that is aiming to step up in the NFC hierarchy.

Pro Football Focus

Pick: Caleb Banks, DL, Florida

Author: Gordon McGuinness

Take: Banks flashed at the Senior Bowl after returning to action for Florida late in the year due to injury. He has the size that NFL teams look for on the defensive interior, and he flashed both as a pass rusher and against the run in college, recording four sacks back in 2024.

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CBS Sports

Pick: Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

Author: Josh Edwards

Take: Nic Scourton developed into a nice player for the Panthers by the end of the season, but they need a rusher with a bit more juice who will instill fear in the opposition.

The Athletic

Pick: Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri

Author: Nick Baumgardner

Take: Young also helped himself at the Senior Bowl. The 6-5, 262-pounder measured in with above-average arm length and displayed the type of twitchy, sudden move set that made him dangerous in college. He’s a potential three-down weapon who could rush from just about anywhere.

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers mock draft roundup 3.0: Tracking the latest 2026 projections