The 2026 NFL Draft is this week, so let’s take our final look into potential future Panthers on Day 2 of the Draft. This weekly series will take a closer look at some of the prospects the Carolina Panthers could select in the 2026 iteration of the Draft. In this series, we’ll only be looking at prospects the Panthers could seriously consider. This week our profile will focus on Arizona Wildcats defensive back Treydan Stukes.
Bio
Stukes was a zero star recruit in high school in Arizona, and he walked on with
the Wildcats in 2020. With a Steve Smith sized chip on his shoulder, Stukes continuously worked to prove doubters wrong, eventually earning team captain status in his redshirt junior year as well as Honorable Mention All-Pac-12 and a nomination for the Burlsworth Trophy, which honors college football’s top player who began as a walk-on. The next season, Stukes tore his ACL early on and missed the remainder of that year. He took a medical redshirt year and used the COVID rules to get a sixth year of eligibility. Upon returning, he got right back to dominating on the field. Operating primarily nickel spot and occasionally rotating to safety, he notched 52 tackles, four interceptions, six pass breakups, and a sack. His efforts and leadership helped Arizona’s secondary finish first nationally in pass efficiency defense and second in interceptions.
Strengths/Weaknesses
One reason Stukes was able to split time between nickel and safety is his 6’2”, 195 lbs frame. He combines that size with the fluidity and top end speed to keep up with receivers even when he gets fooled on a route. He attacked the ball relentlessly whether it is in the air or on the ground, as evidenced by his seven career interceptions and 21 pass breakups. Stukes’s recognition of route concepts and screens allows him to be a very good zone coverage defender, especially close to the line of scrimmage. His extensive special teams experience is also a notch in his belt that NFL teams love.
The elephant in the room for Stukes is that knee injury. Sure, he came back and dominated, but some teams might be scared off if certain things pop up during the medical checks. Opponents were also able to use his aggressiveness against him, especially in the run game. Stukes often gets caught out of position because he over pursues, leaving gaping cutback lanes. He could also stand to improve his block shedding if he’s going to be a full time nickel in the NFL.
Projection
Stukes has shown the ball skills to be a game changer in the defensive backfield, and he could do the same in the NFL if allowed to play his game. He is very much a zone squatting type of player who likes to keep his eyes on the quarterback and jump route combinations he recognizes. When allowed to play his game, he has the versatility to play in odd coverages and even as a deep safety in Cover 2 looks.
The Panthers love to run zone, and Stukes would be the perfect puzzle piece for Ejiro Evero’s defense. His size and length allow him to disrupt throwing lanes, and his IQ make him a dangerous player, especially in the middle of the field. Stukes also has the versatility to mask certain coverages, almost like a third safety on the field for when Trevon Moehrig is in the box. If he is available at pick 51, the Panthers very well could pull the trigger.
What do you think, Panthers fans? If Treydan Stukes is available when the Panthers select on Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft, should they take him? Sound off in the comments!
