Experts make final predictions for Panthers' 2026 1st-round pick

In contrast to the previous handful of years, the forecast on the Carolina Panthers' first-round pick is a bit cloudy. Instead of choosing from a few of the very top prospects within the top 10 slots of the draft, their position in 2026—at 19th overall—could present a wealth of different avenues.

In fact, president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan conveyed as much—stating last week that "all positions" are on the table for Thursday night.

So, what positions and players do the sport's top experts see the Panthers taking in the opening round of this year's selection process?

Here—via a group of 30 insiders, reporters and analysts—are the final predictions for Carolina's first-round pick:

• Bucky Brooks (NFL Media): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

• Dane Brugler (The Athletic): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

• Eric Edholm (NFL Media): Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama

• Josh Edwards (CBS Sports): Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

• Mike Florio (Pro Football Talk): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

• Danny Heifetz (The Ringer): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

• Nathan Jahnke (Pro Football Focus): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

• Daniel Jeremiah (NFL Media): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

• Mike Kaye (The Charlotte Observer): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

• Danny Kelly (The Ringer): Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (Fla.)

• Mel Kiper Jr. (ESPN): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

• Dave Kluge (Footballguys): Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

• Diante Lee (The Ringer): Makai Lemon, WR, USC

• Todd McShay (The Ringer): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

• Matt Miller (ESPN): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

• Josh Norris (Underdog Sports): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

• Conor Orr (Sports Illustrated): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

• Joe Person (The Athletic): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

• Rob Rang (FOX Sports): Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama

• Jordan Reid (ESPN): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

• Mike Renner (CBS Sports): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

• Chad Reuter (NFL Media): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

• Connor Rogers (NBC Sports): Makai Lemon, WR, USC

• Keith Sanchez (The Draft Network): Spencer Fano, OL, Utah

• Peter Schrager (ESPN): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

• Evan Silva (Establish The Run): Monroe Freeling, OL, Georgia

• Nate Tice (Yahoo Sports): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

• Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

• Hayden Winks (Underdog Sports): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

• Lance Zierlein (NFL Media): KC Concepcion, WR, Texas A&M

Totals:

• Thieneman: 7

• Sadiq: 6

• McNeil-Warren: 3

• Concepcion: 2

• Cooper: 2

• Lemon: 2

• Proctor: 2

• Fano: 1

• Freeling: 1

• Johnson: 1

• McCoy: 1

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: 30 expert predictions for Panthers' 1st-round pick