{"id":864295,"date":"2026-04-11T22:36:22","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T22:36:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/864295\/"},"modified":"2026-04-11T22:36:22","modified_gmt":"2026-04-11T22:36:22","slug":"2-players-who-could-be-first-round-draft-picks-in-2026-carolina-panthers-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/864295\/","title":{"rendered":"2 Players Who Could Be First Round Draft Picks in 2026: Carolina Panthers Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the first time since 2015, the Carolina Panthers won the NFC South. They went 8-9, losing immediately to the Los Angeles Rams 34-31 in the Wild Card round at home. With the poor record of the playoff teams, the Panthers will have one of the earlier draft picks in the 2026 NFL Draft<\/a>. <\/p>\n

The Panthers currently have the No. 19 pick. Since the hiring of head coach Dave Canales, the Panthers have been on an upward trajectory. Here are the two most likely options for them as they continue their upward movement under Canales.\u00a0<\/p>\n

LB CJ Allen, Georgia\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Panthers did acquire Jaelan Phillips<\/a> and Devin Lloyd in the offseason from the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars, respectively. If they were able to add, Allen from Georgia in the draft, they would have one of the scariest front sevens in the entire NFL. Allen was a critical player on the last three defenses the Georgia Bulldogs have put out on the field. He is an easy first rounder and will be part of whomever chooses him in the upcoming draft.<\/p>\n

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In his three years in Athens, Allen made 205 total tackles, 10 pass deflections, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and an interception.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo<\/p>\n

With the Panthers upgrading their offense the last few drafts, they can finally turn to their defense. McNeil-Warren, if drafted, would be only the second strong safety on the Panthers\u2019 entire roster. Only Tre\u2019von Moehrig is listed currently. If they were able to convert McNeil-Warren into a free safety, it might serve the Panthers the best interests. The listed free safeties aren\u2019t super notable players.\u00a0<\/p>\n

More Sports News<\/p>\n

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NcNeil-Warren might have played at Toledo, but his stats<\/a> were ridiculously good and worthy of a first-round pick. During his four-year career at Toledo, he made 212 total tackles, 13 pass deflections,\u00a0 eight forced fumbles, five interceptions, a sack and a touchdown.\u00a0<\/p>\n