{"id":871088,"date":"2026-04-21T10:19:19","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T10:19:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/871088\/"},"modified":"2026-04-21T10:19:19","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T10:19:19","slug":"panthers-big-board-is-there-a-must-have-player-like-a-year-ago-with-t-mac","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/871088\/","title":{"rendered":"Panthers big board: Is there a \u2018must-have\u2019 player like a year ago with T-Mac?"},"content":{"rendered":"

CHARLOTTE, N.C. \u2014 On the morning the NFL Draft was starting last year, general manager Dan Morgan said he walked into Bank of America Stadium and told Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper they had to get Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with the eighth pick.<\/a><\/p>\n

The way the board fell in front of them \u2014 and after a potential trade with the Los Angeles Rams fell through \u2014 the Panthers took McMillan, and the angular wideout known as T-Mac went on to win Offensive Rookie of the Year.<\/p>\n

Maybe Morgan again shows up to the stadium Thursday morning with one name for Tepper. But because the Panthers are picking 11 spots lower and with only one quarterback expected to be taken in the first half of the draft, Morgan\u2019s list figures to be a little longer this year.<\/p>\n

So is ours. Let\u2019s big board.<\/p>\n

Day 1<\/p>\n

(The Panthers currently have the 19th pick in Round 1.)<\/p>\n

OL Spencer Fano, Utah<\/p>\n

Fano was a right tackle for the Utes. But after his arms miraculously grew between his combine and pro day, some teams could be eyeing him as a left tackle.<\/p>\n

WR Jordyn Tyson, Arizona State<\/p>\n

Tyson\u2019s injury history will scare some teams. But he\u2019s a dynamic playmaker when healthy.<\/p>\n

WR Makai Lemon, USC<\/p>\n

The 5-foot-11 Lemon doesn\u2019t have Tyson\u2019s size, but his ball skills are tremendous.<\/p>\n

S Dillon Thieneman, Oregon<\/p>\n

The Panthers would like to find an athletic, rangy safety to patrol the back end for Ejiro Evero while Tre\u2019von Moehrig causes havoc in the box. Thieneman picked off six passes as a freshman at Purdue, then had two interceptions last year during his only season at Oregon. Also: He ran a 4.35-second 40 in Indy.<\/p>\n

TE Kenyon Sadiq, Oregon<\/p>\n

After waiting behind Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson with the Ducks, Sadiq caught eight receiving TDs in 2025 to lead all FBS tight ends. Then he went to the combine and ran the fastest 40 (4.39 seconds) by a tight end since at least 2003.<\/p>\n

WR K.C. Concepcion, Texas A&M<\/p>\n

The Panthers could use a playmaking speed freak to complement McMillan, Jalen Coker and Xavier Legette. With 25 receiving TDs over three seasons at N.C. State and A&M, and two punt return TDs for the Aggies last year, Concepcion qualifies.<\/p>\n

WR Omar Cooper, Indiana<\/p>\n

Fernando Mendoza\u2019s favorite target (69-937-13 TDs) during the Hoosiers\u2019 national championship season, Cooper has more dependable hands than Concepcion. Keep an eye on Cooper at 19 if Thieneman is off the board.<\/p>\n

WR Denzel Boston, Washington<\/p>\n

Different body type and not as fast as the WRs above him on this list, but he can win inside or outside and catches everything.<\/p>\n

Edge Keldric Faulk, Auburn<\/p>\n

After signing Jaelan Phillips to a four-year, $120 million contract<\/a> and drafting a pair of Day-2 pass rushers last year, I\u2019d be a little surprised if Morgan drafted an edge rusher in the first round. But Faulk\u2019s size and athleticism are worth a look, even if his college production was lacking.<\/p>\n

OT Monroe Freeling, Georgia<\/p>\n

After starting only 18 games in Athens, Freeling is still a little raw. But the Panthers\u2019 addition of Rasheed Walker means Freeling would have the benefit of a redshirt year if needed.<\/p>\n

OT Kadyn Proctor, Alabama<\/p>\n

Proctor was a consensus All-American his final season at Alabama despite stretches of inconsistency \u2014 especially against speed rushers. With his 6-7, 352-pound frame, Proctor looks the part of a franchise tackle.<\/p>\n

OT Caleb Lomu, Utah<\/p>\n

Lomu is the lower-rated prospect among the Utes\u2019 two tackles, despite playing on the left side and not allowing a sack last season.<\/p>\n

CB Jermod McCoy, Tennessee<\/p>\n

The Panthers brought him in for a 30 visit, likely to check his medicals after a torn ACL ended his final season in Knoxville.<\/p>\n

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

McNeil-Warren racked up nine forced fumbles and five interceptions over four college seasons, including one he took to the house as a senior.<\/p>\n

Day 2DT Kayden McDonald, Ohio State<\/p>\n

Pass-rush skills are a work in progress, but is stout against the run.<\/p>\n

OT Max Iheanachor, Arizona State<\/p>\n

The Nigerian-born Iheanachor was a basketball and soccer player as a teenager in L.A., and didn\u2019t play football until he got to college. But his athleticism and an NFL-ready frame (6-6, 330) make him an intriguing prospect.<\/p>\n

G Chase Bisontis, Texas A&M<\/p>\n

One of just six prospects (out of 319) at the combine who participated in every drill.<\/p>\n

CB Treydan Stukes, Arizona<\/p>\n

He has the size, speed and ball skills the Panthers like in their corners. His age (25) could be an issue.<\/p>\n

LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech<\/p>\n

The 6-1, 231-pound Rodriguez was both the quarterback of the Red Raiders\u2019 defense and a disruptive force, finishing his career with 19 forced turnovers.<\/p>\n

Edge Zion Young, Missouri<\/p>\n

The second day was Morgan\u2019s sweet spot for edge rushers last year. Could history repeat itself for a player who had 6.5 sacks and 16.5 tackles for loss as a senior?<\/p>\n

LB C.J. Allen, Georgia<\/p>\n

The sense is the Panthers have other LBs higher on their board, but Allen\u2019s three-down skill set merits consideration.<\/p>\n

DT Christen Miller, Georgia<\/p>\n

Miller\u2019s length (6-4, 321) and power could make him a sensible replacement for A\u2019Shawn Robinson.<\/p>\n

CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina<\/p>\n

You may have heard: The Panthers love drafting South Carolina players, and did OK the last time they took a Gamecocks\u2019 corner.<\/p>\n

OT Blake Miller, Clemson<\/p>\n

You may have heard: The Panthers don\u2019t like drafting Clemson players, and it doesn\u2019t help that Miller was exclusively a right tackle for the Tigers.<\/p>\n

LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas<\/p>\n

With 17 career sacks and eight forced fumbles, Hill made an impact every week for the Longhorns.<\/p>\n

S AJ Haulcy, LSU<\/p>\n

If there\u2019s a better nickname than Haulcy\u2019s \u201cMr. Give Me That\u201d from high school, I want to hear it. Haulcy continued taking the ball away in college, with 10 interceptions over four seasons at three schools.<\/p>\n

Edge Keyron Crawford, Auburn<\/p>\n

Crawford was more productive last season than Faulk, Auburn\u2019s more highly touted pass rusher.<\/p>\n

LB Jake Golday, Cincinnati<\/p>\n

Like Allen, Golday can make plays at all three levels of the defense, as evidenced by his 105 tackles and 3.5 sacks last fall.<\/p>\n

TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt<\/p>\n

Stowers was a quarterback at Texas A&M and New Mexico State before transferring to Vandy, where his 769 receiving yards were more than any other FBS tight end in 2025.<\/p>\n

DT Tyler Onyedim, Texas A&M<\/p>\n

Collected 3.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for loss in 2025 after transferring from Iowa State.<\/p>\n

CB Davison Igbinosun, Ohio State<\/p>\n

Big and aggressive, but with 16 coverage penalties his last two seasons, he could stand to get less handsy.<\/p>\n

DT Domonique Orange, Iowa State<\/p>\n

The \u201cBig Citrus,\u201d at 6-4 and 325 pounds, didn\u2019t get squeezed off the line very often in Ames.<\/p>\n

WR Brenen Thompson, Mississippi State<\/p>\n

The 5-9, 164-pound Thompson ran the fastest (4.26 seconds) at the combine and led the SEC with 1,054 receiving yards in 2025.<\/p>\n

WR Zachariah Branch, Georgia<\/p>\n

Branch has a similar build (5-9, 177) as Thompson and is only a tick slower, with a 4.35-second clocking in the 40.<\/p>\n

TE Max Klare, Ohio State<\/p>\n

Starred at Cincinnati\u2019s St. X High, Luke Kuechly\u2019s alma mater.<\/p>\n

C Jake Slaughter, Florida<\/p>\n

The Panthers lost Cade Mays in free agency, and only signed his replacement, Luke Fortner, to a one-year deal. So there\u2019s room for a plug-and-play center like Slaughter.<\/p>\n

S Jalon Kilgore, South Carolina<\/p>\n

His 4.40-second 40 at the combine placed him just behind Thieneman and tied for the fifth-fastest time by a safety.<\/p>\n

TE Oscar Delp, Georgia<\/p>\n

Poor production after taking over for Brock Bowers, but teams like his speed (4.49) and upside.<\/p>\n

TE Justin Joly, NC State<\/p>\n

Athletic mover caught seven TDs last season for the Wolfpack.<\/p>\n

OT Travis Burke, Memphis<\/p>\n

The 6-9, 332-pound Burke, who started his career at Gardner-Webb, has a humongous frame and a mean streak.<\/p>\n

G Jalen Farmer, Kentucky<\/p>\n

The 6-5, long-armed Farmer could be a sneaky good pick for the Panthers, especially if they believe he could also play center.<\/p>\n

WR Chris Brazzell, Tennessee<\/p>\n

Tall, angular wideout topped 1,000 yards with nine TDs last season for the Vols.<\/p>\n

C Sam Hecht, Kansas State<\/p>\n

Former walk-on gave up zero sacks and had no penalties as a senior.<\/p>\n

Day 3WR Deion Burks, Oklahoma<\/p>\n

If the Panthers haven\u2019t drafted a fast, shifty receiver by Saturday, Burks could be the guy.<\/p>\n

S Zakee Wheatley, Penn State<\/p>\n

Wheatley had six career interceptions for the Nittany Lions, including three in 2024 to go with a career-high 96 tackles.<\/p>\n

TE Sam Roush, Stanford<\/p>\n

Former rugby player was a traditional \u201cY\u201d tight end for Frank Reich last year.<\/p>\n

RB Emmett Johnson, Nebraska<\/p>\n

Johnson piled up more than 1,800 all-purpose yards in 2025 in Dana Holgorsen\u2019s version of the Air Raid offense.<\/p>\n

C Connor Lew, Auburn<\/p>\n

Season-ending ACL surgery in October could keep him off some teams\u2019 boards.<\/p>\n

DT Chris McClellan, Missouri<\/p>\n

The Florida transfer was a productive player whose impact increased over his two seasons at Missouri, capped by a six-sack campaign as a senior.<\/p>\n

TE Will Kacmarek, Ohio State<\/p>\n

Among the better blockers in this TE class.<\/p>\n

G\/C Febechi Nwaiwu, Oklahoma<\/p>\n

Nwaiwu has nearly 35-inch arms and started at four of the five offensive line spots while at North Texas and Oklahoma.<\/p>\n

CB Ephesians Prysock, Washington<\/p>\n

The 6-3 Prysock forced 19 incompletions last season, most among Big Ten cornerbacks.<\/p>\n

WR Malik Benson, Oregon<\/p>\n

A deep-ball threat who also was one of five FBS players in 2025 to average more than 17.5 yards per punt return.<\/p>\n

Edge Wesley Williams, Duke<\/p>\n

Williams is a high-motor player who is active against the run and had a solid season in 2024 (7.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss).<\/p>\n

WR Kendrick Law, Kentucky<\/p>\n

Law put up pedestrian stats at both Kentucky and Alabama, where he played with Bryce Young in 2022.<\/p>\n

DT Nick Barrett, South Carolina<\/p>\n

Like Legette, Barrett waited four years before becoming a full-time player for the Gamecocks.<\/p>\n

LB Jack Kelly, BYU<\/p>\n

Dane Brugler called the 6-2, 240-pound Kelly a \u201cculture-setter\u201d at BYU, where he combined for 23.5 tackles for loss and 15 sacks in two seasons after transferring from Weber State.<\/p>\n

RB Kaelon Black, Indiana<\/p>\n

JMU transfer ran for more than 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Hoosiers\u2019 title team in what was his sixth college season.<\/p>\n

CB T.J. Hall, Iowa<\/p>\n

A physical, good-sized corner, but lacks top-end speed.<\/p>\n

QB Haynes King, Georgia Tech<\/p>\n

The 25-year-old King played six college seasons and is six months older than Bryce Young. He led Georgia Tech in both passing (2,951) and rushing yards (953) in 2025 and was the ACC Player of the Year. A Taysom Hill-type package, anyone?<\/p>\n

TE Dae\u2019quan Wright, Ole Miss<\/p>\n

Virginia Tech transfer was one of only three TEs in this draft with 12 catches of 20-plus yards in 2025.<\/p>\n

QB Sawyer Robertson, Baylor<\/p>\n

The 6-4, 216-pound Robertson has the size and athleticism to make plays with his feet and keep plays alive, something Morgan said the Panthers are looking for in a developmental QB.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"CHARLOTTE, N.C. \u2014 On the morning the NFL Draft was starting last year, general manager Dan Morgan said…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":871089,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2075],"tags":[235,260,2567,7,6,236],"class_list":{"0":"post-871088","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-carolina-panthers","8":"tag-carolina","9":"tag-carolina-panthers","10":"tag-carolinapanthers","11":"tag-football","12":"tag-nfl","13":"tag-panthers"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116442192344806597","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/871088","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=871088"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/871088\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/871089"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=871088"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=871088"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=871088"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}