Last week, we did some mock draft hopping to consolidate some of the media’s most prominent mock drafters’ selections for the Carolina Panthers. This week, we look at who those same mockers pick for the Panthers in Day 2, if they could be bothered to go that far with their mocks (looking at you, Mel Kiper, Daniel Jeremiah, and others). Rankings start to drift the further into the draft we go, so surely there will be more variety in these selections.
Field Yates (ESPN)
51. Caleb Tiernan, offensive tackle, Northwestern
Dave Canales said he doesn’t believe in drafting for depth in the first round, but he didn’t say anything about the second round. Ikem Ekwonu is an unknown as he recovers from a ruptured patella tendon, and Rasheed Walker is currently just a one year rental. The Panthers might not have an immediate need for an offensive tackle, but depth their is always vital and it’s very possible it becomes a need sooner rather than later. The only question would be is he simply too tall for Bryce Young to throw over (he’s 6’8”).
Matt Miller (ESPN)
51. D’Angelo Ponds, cornerback, Indiana
83. Zakee Wheatley, safety, Penn State
Miller has the Panthers double dipping in the secondary after going guard in the first round. Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson are a formidable duo on the outside, but the Panthers could use some help in the slot. Ponds’ size will likely force him to play nickel in the NFL, but he has the talent and toughness to be a difference maker there. Wheatley is a big safety that is more of a deep safety than either Tre’Von Moehrig and Lathan Ransom, so there’s room for him to make a role for himself there.
An ESPN joint venture
51. Jacob Rodriguez, linebacker, Texas Tech
83. Logan Jones, center, Iowa
Just about every year, there’s a linebacker that produces at an astronomical rate in college but gets dinged due to a perceived lack of athleticism for some reason. Then that guy goes to the combine, tests better than expected, and incrementally improves their draft stock. Then that guy goes on to outperform his draft position. The leading candidate for the 2026 version of that is Rodriguez, and in this mock, he ends up in Carolina. Jones would have a chance to compete for a starting spot given the dearth of other options at center.
Chad Reuter (NFL.com)
51. Logan Jones, center, Iowa
83. Gabe Jacas, edge, Illinois
Reuter has the Panthers double dipping on trench players from the Big Ten. Like I said above, the center spot has become a question mark with the departures of Cade Mays and Austin Corbett. Jones would have a very good chance to compete for a starting spot right away. Jacas would add depth on the edge as the Panthers continue to throw resources at the position and hoping someone pops off.
Tankathon
51. Lee Hunter, defensive line, Texas Tech
83. Gennings Dunker, offensive tackle, Iowa
Tankathon has updated their mock since we talked about it last week. They previously had the Panthers taking defensive lineman Peter Woods, but have since joined the crowd that has the Panthers taking Kenyon Sadiq. They now have the Panthers addressing the defensive interior in the second round with Lee Hunter. He’s a beefy run stuffing interior lineman. In the third round, they have the Panthers shoring up their offensive line depth with Dunker, who has a great name and an even better mullet.
