Panthers Hold Steady as Teams Attempt to Trade Up for 2026 Draft Pick

The Carolina Panthers approached the 2026 NFL Draft with caution, aiming to make strategic decisions rather than rash ones. Brandt Tilis, the executive vice president of football operations, shared this sentiment during the latest episode of Panthers Blueprint, which offered an insider's view of the team's planning sessions ahead of the draft.

With the 19th overall pick, the Panthers ultimately selected Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling, a player highly coveted by the franchise. Tilis emphasized that it would have required an "outrageous" offer for the Panthers to part with their position in the draft.

Interestingly, the Houston Texans and Philadelphia Eagles showed interest in moving up to snag that 19th pick. However, according to Tilis and general manager Dan Morgan, the Texans' initial position at 28th overall made it challenging for them to make an effective trade without overreaching. Ultimately, Houston secured a deal with the Buffalo Bills, selecting Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge at No. 26.

Similarly, the Eagles sought to trade up after failing to reach an agreement with Carolina. They managed to make an intra-divisional trade with the Dallas Cowboys, moving from the 23rd to the 20th pick to draft Southern California wide receiver Makai Lemon.

Fortunately for the Panthers, they maintained their focus and made a decision aligned with their long-term goals.