Perhaps it wasn't as sharp as the Tetairoa McMillan pick in 2025, but the Carolina Panthers threw us another first-round curveball for the second straight year.
On Thursday night, the reigning NFC South champs took Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling with the 19th overall selection of the 2026 NFL Draft. Even with a heavy favorite in Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman still on the board, the Panthers opted to build on their trench with the promising 6-foot-7, 315-pound hog molly.
Now, we move on to Friday—with the second and third rounds on deck. Will this next stage of the process, however, be any easier to predict?
Well, we can try.
Here's our quick Day 2 mock for the Panthers . . .
Second round (No. 43, via MIA): Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech
Projected trade: Carolina receives No. 43, No. 94; Miami receives No. 51, No. 83, No. 158
General manager Dan Morgan hasn't been shy about going up to get his guy on Day 2. In fact, he's done it three times over his first two drafts at the helm.
He makes a leap here for Rodriguez, who created 11 turnovers in a highly-decorated and highly-productive 2025 campaign. The unanimous All-American can slot right into the starting lineup next to free-agent signee Devin Lloyd.
Third round (No. 94, via MIA): Oscar Delp, TE, Georgia
After missing out on a chance to even consider taking Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq at No. 19, the Panthers nab another kind of potent playmaker at the tight end position here.
Delp's production doesn't warrant much excitement, as he amassed just 854 yards and nine touchdowns over four years at Georgia. But his athleticism, explosiveness and 6-foot-5, 245-pound frame may give Morgan and the Panthers a yards-after-catch weapon they desperately need.
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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers 2026 Day 2 mock draft: Predictions for Rounds 2 and 3
