The 2025-26 NFL regular season has already completed eleven weeks. It’s almost hard to believe we’re that deep into it. Playoff races are taking shape with greater clarity. Many teams are ‘competing’ for the highest selection possible in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Carolina Panthers hold a 6-5 record heading into Week 12. This puts them in an unfamiliar position from most recent seasons. Postseason implications are still tied to each remaining result. The draft order will, of course, coincide. Carolina is currently slated for the 17th overall pick in the first round.
This is the initial entry in a new weekly staple to my Panthers coverage for the rest of the season. I will provide a first-look, sure-to-change, full seven-round Carolina Panthers 2026 mock draft. This draft uses the PFSN Mock Draft Simulator.
Round 1, Pick 17: Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State
The Carolina Panthers would be adding an absolute unit of a player to their defense by selecting Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles at No. 17 overall. Styles is listed at 6’4” and 243 pounds. He sports a 77.0 PFSN CFB LBi score. He plays the position with tantalizing size and speed. This gives him well-rounded versatility.
The starting linebacker finished the 2024 season with 100 total tackles (10.5 TFL), six sacks, five passes defended, one fumble forced, and one recovered. So far this season, Styles has 57 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and one interception. He has decreased his missed tackle rate from 18% to 0% thus far.
With his background as a safety, Styles routinely demonstrates top-tier instincts in coverage. He possesses high-end athleticism to execute man responsibilities when tasked. He also shows good feel in zone to reach proper depth and pass off routes.
Styles’ instinctive play shows up in run support as well. He quickly triggers and takes
advantage of his physical tools to close on ball carriers in a hurry. Shedding blockers is an area where he will be counted on to improve at the next level. He has been willing to destroy violently, pulling linemen and eliminating run lanes.
Styles will immediately raise the floor and ceiling of the Panthers’ linebacker group, giving the team a potential difference maker on that second level.
Round 2, Pick 49: Eli Stowers, TE, Vanderbilt
A prospect that I’m likely higher on than consensus, Vanderbilt tight end Eli Stowers (84.6 score makes him No. 2-ranked in PFSN’s CFB TEi) is the selection at No. 49 overall for Carolina in the second round.
A former four-star QB recruit out of high school, the 6’4”, 235-pound Stowers began his collegiate career at Texas A&M before transferring to New Mexico State, and then ultimately finding his footing with Vanderbilt.
Stowers is cut from the mold of the modern move TE. Innovative NFL coaches use these players as matchup nightmares in offenses across the league. He has refined his route running to the point where it’s a true weapon. He has quick change-of-direction ability and legit vertical speed, clocked in-game at 21.4 mph. This makes him a RAC threat with the ball.
In the catch phase, Stowers has shown the traits and understanding to be an ultra-reliable target for his quarterback. He has a reported 39-inch vertical jump. He uses his length and explosive athleticism to high-point and pluck catches out of the air.
Stowers has set career highs already in 2025 with 51 receptions and 669 yards. With more games to play this season, his four touchdowns through ten games are the second-best mark, after hauling in five in 2024.
A true F-tight end, Stowers offers Carolina a different skill set and ceiling than the current players in the position room. Compared to Tommy Tremble and Mitchell Evans, Stowers provides more vertical speed and refined route running, offering a complementary dynamic to their skill sets.
Round 3, Pick 81: Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State
This selection would be what I’d consider a ‘steal’ for the Panthers in the third round. San Diego State cornerback Chris Johnson is a very impressive prospect. He just happens to play football in the Mountain West Conference.
Johnson is listed at around 6’0” and 185 pounds. He sports a lighter frame than some may prefer, but he doesn’t play the position ‘small.’ Johnson has a 4.2% career missed tackle rate throughout his 1,599 career defensive snaps. This season, that figure sits at 2.1%.
His effectiveness in coverage is remarkable. Johnson’s NFL Passer Rating Against him for the 2025 season is 28.3. He has accrued 40 total tackles, four PBU, three interceptions, and one forced fumble, according to PFF. He also has two pick-six touchdowns under his belt – one in 2023 and one in 2024.
His proficiency in off-coverage lends well to the Panthers’ current defensive scheme. Johnson can take full advantage of his elite body control and snappy change-of-direction. He plays the position with high football intelligence, utilizing proper angles and leverage to execute plays effectively.
The addition of Johnson would open competition between him, Mike Jackson, and second-year UDFA Corey Thornton for outside corner work. Thornton has played more snaps in the slot for the Panthers this season. So, perhaps the move could create a more full-time outlook and provide flexibility for Chau Smith-Wade to play more safety looks.
Round 4, Pick 117: Brian Parker II, OL, Duke
Brian Parker II is currently the starting right tackle for Duke. He figures to kick inside at the NFL level. Whether that’s as a center or a guard will be determined by the team that drafts the powerful prospect.
For Carolina, the positional versatility Parker offers is very appealing. Similar to how Brady Christensen provides flexibility across the offensive line, Parker could serve as a utility depth piece while he develops at the interior positions, potentially excelling in multiple spots.
Panthers’ head coach Dave Canales says with regularity, “it starts up front.” He emphasizes the importance of the offensive line to success. The 6’5”, 300-pound protector blocks with good, consistent pad level and sound footwork. He drives defenders out of frame when finishing.
Round 5, Pick 157: Malachi Lawrence, EDGE, UCF
Malachi Lawrence will certainly meet the Panthers’ historical thresholds for EDGE defender physical stature. He stands over 6’4” and weighs around 260 pounds. He also has a reported 35” arm length.
He uses his size and length functionally as a pass rusher. Lawrence has shown progression and development to his arsenal and plan each year he’s earned the repetitions. In 2025, he has made 15 tackles, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles. The 36 QBP he’s generated are also a career-best mark already through ten games.
Lawrence shows a good variety of rush moves, including a well-timed spin move, fake stab-rip, and long arm. He can improve at converting speed to power, but the ability exists.
Lawrence is also a sound defender against the ground attack and fits the run with physicality. He provides a good developmental depth piece for the Carolina EDGE position that is still in need of generating more pressure against opposing quarterbacks.
Round 6, Pick 171: Jalen Catalon, S, Missouri
Jalen Catalon is a seventh-year senior who has had stops at Arkansas, Texas, UNLV, and now Missouri. An extensive injury history has resulted in Catalon playing more than 300 snaps in only four of those seasons.
But man, when he’s healthy, he’s a heck of a football player. Catalon has 10 career interceptions and seven defensive touchdowns. His career NFL Passer Rating Against him is 71.8.
He plays a physical-enough brand that allows him to play closer to the line of scrimmage and in the slot. He has the instincts and athleticism to survey the deep third as well. Even when playing from depth, Catalon comes screaming downhill in support. His ball skills are valuable to any defensive scheme, including Carolina’s.
His tackling technique will need to improve, especially since Catalon figures to start his professional career as a special teams contributor while competing for a roster spot.
Round 6, Pick 195: Jake Slaughter, C, Florida
Revisiting the offensive line well, the Panthers wrap up this totally realistic first mock draft with fifth-year SEC lineman Jake Slaughter from the University of Florida.
Slaughter earned a significant role and became the starting center in 2023. He has performed steadily and impressively since getting the opportunity. Slaughter was named an AP All-American in 2024. He played 800 snaps, surrendered just one sack, and was penalized only three times all season.
Carolina could look to re-sign current starter Cade Mays in the offseason, as he has performed well in 2025. However, there are no other centers under contract. Slaughter would come to compete with Mays and theoretical fourth-round draft mate Brian Parker II.
Round 7: N/A (conditional terms of Minnesota Vikings trade pending)
