B-
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers checked most of the boxes and earned a B-.
by allenwilson21 ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 7 picks
· 2 steals
· 4 reaches
The rest of the league had time to spare on Matthew Hibner; the Panthers did not wait, grabbing him 156 spots ahead at pick 158. A sturdy weekend that grades out a B-.
They will regret leaving wide receiver for another day if the season turns on it. Whatever else happened, they won the night they took Thieneman.
On the needs board they went 6 of 9, with cornerback the one that mattered most.
A workmanlike haul that should hold up just fine.
Pick-by-Pick
In Round 1, Pick 19 they get a sticky cover corner at fair value. Exactly the need they had to hit.
Good things come to war rooms that wait, and Dillon Thieneman at the Round 2 slot is the proof. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Nice patience on Jacob Rodriguez, who had no business lasting to pick No. 83. They walked in needing this and walked out with it.
DeMonte Capehart at slot 119 is a steep price for a hunch, hard to square with any board. A minor need, but a need all the same.
A swing that ignored the value entirely, Matthew Hibner well ahead of where he belonged. It fills a real need, too.
Pat Coogan at No. 159 is an overdraft of the loud, memorable kind. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
They paid up for Sawyer Robertson at the 200th overall pick when waiting would have done the job. A need, and now a little less of one.