Carolina Panthers NFL Mock Draft Roundup 4.0

The Panthers didn't have a tight end reach 250 receiving yards last season. The 6-foot-3, 241-pound Sadiq would give quarterback Bryce Young a playmaker and security blanket.

Throughout this recent run of first-round picks at tight end, Sadiq separates himself with elite athleticism. At the combine, he posted a 4.39-second 40-yard dash (tight end record), 43½-inch vertical jump and 11-foot-1 broad jump.

Sadiq would add an element of explosive run-after-catch ability for Carolina, which needs another dynamic option next to wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. Sadiq had to bide his time at Oregon playing behind current Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson, but he led all FBS tight ends in receiving touchdowns in 2025 (eight). He more than holds his own as a blocker, too.

Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu's status is unclear for the start of next season after a knee injury in Carolina's wild-card loss to the Rams. The Panthers already have an insurance plan in free agent signing Rasheed Walker, but both Ekwonu and Walker are under contract for just one more season. Tiernan is a steady tackle who moves well at his gigantic stature (6-8), although he has just 32⅛-inch arms.

They need to give Bryce Young a playmaking tight end, which Sadiq can become. He is also a willing blocker, which is big in the run game.

This mock didn't fall so great for the Panthers, whose talent evaluators likely winced watching Freeling go in the top 10 and Sadiq land with a division rival. Even if GM Dan Morgan wanted to give Bryce Young a first-round wideout for a third consecutive year, that plan was foiled when Lemon and Tyson were taken. Given the uncertainty surrounding Ikem Ekwonu after his knee surgery and Rasheed Walker's one-year deal, an offensive tackle still makes sense here — even if it's not Freeling. Proctor has all the size (6-7, 352) and upside but needs refinement. He'll have the chance to develop for a year behind Walker and right tackle Taylor Moton. — Joe Person

Carolina adds some serious size to its defensive line here with the addition of Banks. He is a behemoth tackle with elite athleticism and sound technique to diagnose and defeat blocks — he just can't tackle. Now, that's concerning, but his other traits are so dynamic and overwhelming that even marginal improvement in that problematic area would make him a plus starter in the NFL. Banks reportedly broke his foot at the NFL combine and is projected to be sidelined until June, which should give him plenty of time to be healthy by training camp.

The first tight end in combine history to record a sub-4.4 40, Sadiq, who also had a 43½-inch vert, certainly made some money in Indianapolis. And maybe he gest paid in Charlotte, where the Panthers haven't gotten much from their tight ends in recent seasons.

The Panthers add more firepower for Bryce Young. With his ability to separate before and after the catch, Concepcion forms a strong pass-catching trio with Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker.

Three safeties in the top 20! McNeil-Warren deserves to be here; he has the speed and instincts to make plays, accumulating 10 forced fumbles and five interceptions over his four seasons at Toledo. Carolina focused on defense this month, signing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd to sizable contracts. It also brought back safety Nick Scott alongside Tre'von Moehrig, but McNeil-Warren could make a big impact in the secondary and give the team some options. The Panthers allowed 6.5 yards per dropback last season (22nd in the NFL).

Left tackle Ikem Ekwonu seems likely to miss the entire 2026 season after rupturing his patellar tendon in the Panthers' playoff loss to the Rams. While the Panthers just recently signed Packers left tackle Rasheed Walker, it's still smart for them to get as much protection in front of quarterback Bryce Young. Proctor's an athletic left tackle considering his tremendous size (6-foot-7, 350 pounds).