April 4, 2026, 6:30 a.m. ET<\/p>\n
Could the Carolina Panthers<\/a> squeeze their first-round pick for everything it’s worth?<\/p>\n Well, that’s the suggestion from Pro Football Focus contributor John Kosko\u2014who recently named<\/a> each NFL team’s most valuable trade asset. Kosko writes that the 19th overall selection of the 2026 NFL Draft is Carolina’s best chip at the negotiation table:<\/p>\n The Panthers made the playoffs but now sit at No. 19 overall with clear needs across the defense and a continued need to add weapons for\u00a0Bryce Young. In a draft class as deep at premium positions, this pick offers significant flexibility \u2014 whether that\u2019s moving up for a blue-chip talent or trading down to acquire multiple Day 2 selections.<\/p>\n Dealing the pick could also bring back proven veterans or additional draft capital to address holes on both sides of the ball while accelerating the team\u2019s next step forward.<\/p>\n Dan Morgan hasn’t stayed put much in his first two drafts as the team’s general manager. His most notable draft-day moves came in 2024\u2014when he traded up<\/a> into the first round for wide receiver Xavier Legette, then back (and up again<\/a>) for second-round running back Jonathon Brooks.<\/p>\n The Panthers are currently slated to enter the upcoming selection process with seven total picks<\/a>\u2014No. 19 (first round), No. 51 (second round), No. 83 (third round), No. 119 (fourth round), No. 158 (fifth round), No. 159 (fifth round) and No. 200 (sixth round).<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n