The Carolina Panthers have their eyes set on those three days in late April.
And so does the Processing Blue podcast.
In this week’s show, co-hosts Mike Kaye and Alex Zietlow look ahead to the 2026 NFL Draft, which will take place April 23 to 25 in Pittsburgh. Specifically, the two Charlotte Observer reporters discuss what the franchise’s most immediate needs are — from defensive line to safety.
Kaye and Zietlow also had inside linebacker Claudin Cherelus join the show for an interview. Cherelus discussed why he loves the idea of being in Carolina another year, what he sees in Trevin Wallace’s future and how his Haitian roots have shaped him into the player and person he is.
Claudin Cherelus of the Carolina Panthers looks on prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks on Dec. 28, 2025, at Bank of America Stadium. Jared C. Tilton Getty Images
Finally, you know it wouldn’t be a show without Kaye on the road somehow — this time he’s on a “Pro Day tour” of sorts, seeing all the talent from local colleges and evaluating whether the Panthers might be a good fit for any of them. The show also makes sure to break down the Andy Dalton trade, as well as other Panthers roster additions.
Listen to the latest podcast episode at the embed in this story, or download it on Spotify, Apple Music or wherever you get your podcasts. You can also check out the show on YouTube.
This story was originally published March 25, 2026 at 6:00 AM.
The Charlotte Observer
Alex Zietlow writes about the Carolina Panthers and the ways in which sports intersect with life for The Charlotte Observer, where he has been a reporter since August 2022. Zietlow’s work has been honored by the Pro Football Writers Association, the N.C. and S.C. Press Associations, as well as the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) group. He’s earned six APSE Top 10 distinctions for his coverage on a variety of topics, from billion-dollar stadium renovations to the small moments of triumph that helped a Panthers kicker defy the steepest odds in sports. Zietlow previously wrote for The Herald in Rock Hill (S.C.) from 2019-22.
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The Charlotte Observer
Mike Kaye writes about the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer. He also co-hosts “Processing Blue: A Panthers Podcast” for The Observer. Kaye’s work in columns/analysis and sports feature writing has been honored by the North Carolina Press Association (NCPA). His reporting has also received recognition from the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).Kaye previously covered the entire NFL for Pro Football Network, the Philadelphia Eagles for NJ Advance Media and the Jacksonville Jaguars for First Coast News. Support my work with a digital subscription