The Carolina Panthers surprised the NFL this past season, taking the Los Angeles Rams down to the wire in a wild card matchup. Carolina ultimately lost the game 34-31, as the team’s lack of pass rush allowed Matthew Stafford the time to pick apart the defense. With the season ending that way, the Panthers know they need to invest in the defensive front this offseason.
That’s exactly what The Athletic’s NFL staff has Carolina doing in a recent 2026 mock draft. With the Panthers first pick set for 19th overall, they were able to stay put and select Miami edge defender Akheem Mesidor.