Steve Bradshaw specializes in covering the NFL Draft, NFL, and Fantasy Football for TWSN. Notably, Bradshaw has been able to cover the NFL Combine with media credentials for TWSN.
 
Outside of football, Bradshaw also has experience writing about the MLB & NBA.

2026 may be the third-year in a row that the Carolina Panthers draft a wide receiver. Xavier Legette was the pick in 2024, Tetairoa McMillan in 2025 but there’s still a need here.

Now this is because while McMillan has looked great, it’s time to throw the towel in for Legette; at least relative to his expectations.

Right now it seems like the Panthers have McMillan as the WR1, Jalen Coker as the WR3 but they’re in need of a true WR2. That’s also amplified because it’s not as if they have a weapon at tight end.

There’s a reason why Kenyon Sadiq has pretty much become the consensus pick for them at 19. However, I’m not as high on Sadiq as a few of these other wide receiver prospects.

It’s not that I’m down on Sadiq, but instead, I see a tier one of three wide receivers. However, it doesn’t seem like the consensus agrees.

For that reason, we’ll run through a scenario where Carolina would jump the New York Jets in order to land one of those three receivers.

TWSN Key Facts:

• Team: Carolina Panthers

• 2025 Record: 8-9

• 2026 NFL Draft Picks (Days 1 & 2): 19, 51 & 83

Carolina Panthers 2026 NFL Mock Trade: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In order to jump in front of the Jets who will likely target wide receiver at pick No. 16, We had Carolina making a deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Carolina gave up pick No. 19, no. 159 (round five) and a future 2027 third-round pick.

While that third round pick may seem a bit expensive, keep in mind they’re going to have to pay a little bit more in order to jump in front of a team.

This mock draft was done on the TWSN Mock Draft Simulator.

First-Round Pick (15th Overall): Makai Lemon, WR, USC

This is more what I think should happen rather than what will happen, but my target here is Makai Lemon. Lemon would be the perfect compliment to McMillan as a WR2, and he’s someone who can change an NFL offense.

The reason why I want to make this move is Lemon ranks 7th on my big board which is the WR2 in this class. Jordyn Tyson (WR1) and Carnell Tate (WR9) are all top 10 players for me.

Compared to Sadiq, he would be a solid pick who ranks 19th. I just see this as an opportunity to draft a player who shouldn’t be at 15.

Second-Round Pick (51st Overall): Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati

After trading up for wide receiver in round one, I’m not sure the Panthers would target a tight end in round two.

If Jake Golday is there, that’s a move that the Panthers could feel good about. Adding Devin Lloyd was huge but they still need some help at linebacker. Trevin Wallace is another projected starter and he could use an upgrade.

Wallace was the Panthers third-round pick in 2024, but he hasn’t been great so far. Wallace has recorded a total of 125 tackles, seven tackles for loss and three sacks in 25 games.

As for Golday, he ranks 44th on my big board.

Third-Round Pick (83rd Overall): Bud Clark, S, TCU

Finally, we round this draft out on defense by taking Bud Clark. At TCU, Clark has been able to make big plays, recording 15 interceptions over his last four seasons.

Putting Clark on this defense would help this secondary create some more turnovers.

At the end of the day, if the Carolina Panthers should trade up or not depends on the price. If Makai Lemon is still on the board and all that’s needed to move up is a third-round pick. That makes sense. Once you get into second round plus territory, that’s where Carolina should be out.

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Steve Bradshaw

Steve Bradshaw specializes in covering the NFL Draft, NFL, and Fantasy Football for TWSN. Notably, Bradshaw has been able to cover the NFL Combine with media credentials for TWSN.
 
Outside of football, Bradshaw also has experience writing about the MLB & NBA.