B+
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers turned the phones into found money: B+.
by Brooks ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 9 picks
· 3 steals
· 1 reaches
If you want a masterclass in dealing, watch the Panthers, who turned every swap into a profit this weekend. It nets out to a B+, which feels about right.
They are betting Moore proves the room right and everyone else wrong. They banked enough surplus on Jones to cover a lot of smaller sins.
A whole weekend of picks and running back is somehow still a want. The DaRon Bland deal gives the class an established piece to lean on.
A workmanlike haul that should hold up just fine.
Pick-by-Pick
In No. 19 they get a matchup weapon at tight end. A real need, handled.
Nice patience on Jacob Rodriguez, who had no business lasting to the 83rd pick. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Nothing to complain about; Deion Burks went a shade earlier than his grade, which is fine. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Circle this one: Logan Jones at the Round 4 slot is a fall that decides a draft. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.
Davison Igbinosun at slot 119 nudges the ledger their way without any fuss. The one spot they could not leave alone, and did not.
They left a pile of value on the table to take Trey Moore this early at Round 5, Pick 12. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
Tim Keenan III in pick No. 158 is fine work, a shade of surplus and no downside. It adds depth where they could use a little.
No edge and no loss on Louis Moore in the 159th overall pick; it is a wash and a sensible one. It patches a soft spot without any drama.
Taylen Green slipping to No. 200 is the kind of luck good rooms make for themselves. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.