The Carolina Panthers are at a pivotal point in their history.Last season, Carolina reached the playoffs for the first time since 2017, when Cam Newton was still in his prime and Christian McCaffrey was a young rookie. Instead of winning the NFC South outright, it was a dogfight till the very end.Carolina finished the regular season at 8-9, matching the records of the Tampa Bay Bucs and the New Orleans Saints. This season, the NFC South should once again be a tough division. Although the Bucs lost future Hall of Famer Mike Evans to free agency, their wide receiver room still boasts Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillian, and Emeka Egbuka, who had a standout rookie season.The Saints had an impressive second half to the 2025 season, after coach Kellen Moore gave rookie quarterback Tyler Shough a chance to shine. Shough did not disappoint, and the Saints bested Carolina in both regular-season matchups. New Orleans still has franchise great Alvin Kamara on its roster, and even added a backfield mate in free agency, star running back Travis Etienne, who is coming off his 4th 1,000-yard season.The Falcons experienced a tumultuous season, with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. tearing his ACL and Raheem Morris being fired. James Pearce Jr. had a great rookie season, gathering 10.5 sacks. However, he is facing legal issues, and newly minted head coach Kevin Stefanski said Pearce is not with the team during voluntary offseason workouts.Despite this, Atlanta still has arguably the best running back in the NFL on its roster in Bijan Robinson, and other great young offensive pieces in tight end Kyle Pitts and receiver Drake London. Moreover, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is hoping to have a career resurgence in ATL.Carolina, on the other hand, saw success on both sides of the ball. Although Bryce Young still hasn’t done enough to be offered a long-term extension, he certainly played the best football of his young career. Receiver Tetairoa McMillian eclipsed 1,000 yards as a rookie and won Offensive Rookie of the Year. Defensively, cornerback Jaycee Horn enjoyed another Pro Bowl season.Carolina did lose key players in the offseason, including Rico Dowdle and Cade Mays, but playoff aspirations for the 2026 season are very high.The team could use an offensive lineman, a safety, and even a receiver. Here’s 1 prospect from each position who Carolina could take with the 19th pick: WR Omar Cooper Jr. – University of IndianaPanthers GM Dan Morgan did not rule out taking a receiver in the first round, although the franchise went that route last year (Tetairoa McMillian) and the year before that (Xavier Legette).Legette hasn’t exactly panned out the way the team would’ve hoped, and although the emergence of undrafted receiver Jalen Coker certainly benefited Bryce Young down the stretch, the Panthers have not fully committed to him yet.Enter Omar Cooper Jr., who is coming off a great season for the Hoosiers, totaling nearly 1000 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, and capping it off with a national championship.Cooper has proven his ability to get open consistently, gain yards after the catch, and has sure hands. He has true star potential and would be a great addition to Carolina.2. S Dillon Thieneman – University of OregonDillon Thieneman thrives in coverage, which is arguably Tre’von Moehrig’s most glaring weakness. Thieneman is extremely versatile. He is the second-best safety in the draft behind only Ohio State’s Caleb Downs, and could probably contribute to most NFL schemes.Thieneman is a safety, not considered to be a premium position, but he certainly could blossom into a premium player in the Queen City.3. OT Kadyn Proctor – University of AlabamaTo keep it simple, the Panthers could, and should, bolster their offensive line. Ikem Ekwonu, the team’s 2022 first-round pick, ruptured his patellar tendon in the playoff game against the Rams and could very well begin the 2026 season on the Physically Unable to Perform list.Carolina signed Stone Forsythe and Rasheed Walker to one-year deals, meaning they could only be rentals. Most of the time, great teams do their best to protect their quarterback, and the Panthers could do right by Bryce Young and get him a young, talented offensive lineman in Kadyn Proctor.
The Carolina Panthers are at a pivotal point in their history.
Last season, Carolina reached the playoffs for the first time since 2017, when Cam Newton was still in his prime and Christian McCaffrey was a young rookie. Instead of winning the NFC South outright, it was a dogfight till the very end.
Carolina finished the regular season at 8-9, matching the records of the Tampa Bay Bucs and the New Orleans Saints.
This season, the NFC South should once again be a tough division. Although the Bucs lost future Hall of Famer Mike Evans to free agency, their wide receiver room still boasts Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillian, and Emeka Egbuka, who had a standout rookie season.
The Saints had an impressive second half to the 2025 season, after coach Kellen Moore gave rookie quarterback Tyler Shough a chance to shine. Shough did not disappoint, and the Saints bested Carolina in both regular-season matchups. New Orleans still has franchise great Alvin Kamara on its roster, and even added a backfield mate in free agency, star running back Travis Etienne, who is coming off his 4th 1,000-yard season.
The Falcons experienced a tumultuous season, with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. tearing his ACL and Raheem Morris being fired. James Pearce Jr. had a great rookie season, gathering 10.5 sacks. However, he is facing legal issues, and newly minted head coach Kevin Stefanski said Pearce is not with the team during voluntary offseason workouts.
Despite this, Atlanta still has arguably the best running back in the NFL on its roster in Bijan Robinson, and other great young offensive pieces in tight end Kyle Pitts and receiver Drake London. Moreover, quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is hoping to have a career resurgence in ATL.
Carolina, on the other hand, saw success on both sides of the ball. Although Bryce Young still hasn’t done enough to be offered a long-term extension, he certainly played the best football of his young career. Receiver Tetairoa McMillian eclipsed 1,000 yards as a rookie and won Offensive Rookie of the Year. Defensively, cornerback Jaycee Horn enjoyed another Pro Bowl season.
Carolina did lose key players in the offseason, including Rico Dowdle and Cade Mays, but playoff aspirations for the 2026 season are very high.
The team could use an offensive lineman, a safety, and even a receiver. Here’s 1 prospect from each position who Carolina could take with the 19th pick:
WR Omar Cooper Jr. – University of Indiana
Panthers GM Dan Morgan did not rule out taking a receiver in the first round, although the franchise went that route last year (Tetairoa McMillian) and the year before that (Xavier Legette).
Legette hasn’t exactly panned out the way the team would’ve hoped, and although the emergence of undrafted receiver Jalen Coker certainly benefited Bryce Young down the stretch, the Panthers have not fully committed to him yet.
Enter Omar Cooper Jr., who is coming off a great season for the Hoosiers, totaling nearly 1000 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns, and capping it off with a national championship.
Cooper has proven his ability to get open consistently, gain yards after the catch, and has sure hands. He has true star potential and would be a great addition to Carolina.
2. S Dillon Thieneman – University of Oregon
Dillon Thieneman thrives in coverage, which is arguably Tre’von Moehrig’s most glaring weakness. Thieneman is extremely versatile. He is the second-best safety in the draft behind only Ohio State’s Caleb Downs, and could probably contribute to most NFL schemes.
Thieneman is a safety, not considered to be a premium position, but he certainly could blossom into a premium player in the Queen City.
3. OT Kadyn Proctor – University of Alabama
To keep it simple, the Panthers could, and should, bolster their offensive line. Ikem Ekwonu, the team’s 2022 first-round pick, ruptured his patellar tendon in the playoff game against the Rams and could very well begin the 2026 season on the Physically Unable to Perform list.
Carolina signed Stone Forsythe and Rasheed Walker to one-year deals, meaning they could only be rentals. Most of the time, great teams do their best to protect their quarterback, and the Panthers could do right by Bryce Young and get him a young, talented offensive lineman in Kadyn Proctor.