B-
Carolina Panthers
A respectable, level-headed haul for the Panthers: B-.
by ScottyB1963 ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 7 picks
· 2 steals
· 4 reaches
Some picks age like wine; Vincent Anthony Jr. at pick 159 will need to, sitting 69 spots clear of his grade. A dependable weekend that grades out a B-.
Landing Scott that late papers over a lot of smaller sins. The safety spot stays a question, and it was the one they most needed an answer at. Wide receiver is handled and the depth chart looks a good deal healthier for it.
All told, a solid class that does its job everywhere but safety.
Pick-by-Pick
A quiet steal in Round 1, Pick 19: Makai Lemon for less than the market said. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
Dani Dennis-Sutton in the Round 2 slot is a bet on their own eyes over everyone else's grade. This was priority one on the needs board, and now it is handled.
Circle this one: Keionte Scott at No. 83 is a fall that decides a draft. Better still, it is exactly the hole they had to fill.
The board screamed and they did not listen, reaching into the next round for Max Llewellyn. That was the need underlined and circled, and now it is checked off.
Bryce Boettcher in the 158th pick is the kind of reach that only looks good if he outplays it. It answers the question that was keeping the coaches up at night.
A wild overpay on Vincent Anthony Jr. in slot 159, the sort that defines a class for the wrong reasons. The biggest hole on the depth chart just got a whole lot smaller.
A market-rate offensive lineman, with the board and the slot shaking hands on Pat Coogan. A sensible fit that makes the depth chart a little sturdier.