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Carolina Panthers GM Offers Hint About Team’s Draft Plans
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- Carolina Panthers GM Offers Hint About Team’s Draft Plans
Dan Morgan has been the Carolina Panthers ‘ general manager for two draft processes. The 2026 NFL Draft will be his third as president of football operations/GM. Ironically enough, Morgan, a former NFL linebacker, has invested a first-round pick in a wide receiver in the only two drafts he’s presided over.
In 2024, the Panthers made Xavier Legette the 32nd overall pick in the first round. He’s yet to compile a total of 1,000 yards (860 career total). Meanwhile, last year’s selection, Tetairoa McMillan , who was the eighth overall pick, racked up 1,014 receiving yards while taking home Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in his first season.
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Despite the Panthers selecting a receiver in the first round in each of the past two drafts, Carolina still has a need at the position. After all, Legette hasn’t developed into the star the Panthers hoped for, not like McMillan has.
Even though the Panthers have done it in back-to-back years, their GM still says Carolina could target another receiver with their first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, where they pick 19th.
“No. I think with anything, we’re going to take the best player,” Morgan said, via the team’s website . “So if the best player we feel is that at 19, I wouldn’t hesitate to draft another wideout. I don’t think there’s a rule that says you can’t draft a wide receiver three years in a row. So I’m not really going to box us in and say we’re not going to draft him.”
The Panthers have commonly been projected to target a receiver in the first round. After seeing how much of an impact McMillan had on former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young ‘s game, one can’t help but wonder if a more complete and consistent group of receivers could really unlock Carolina’s scoring attack. The Panthers may feel the same way.
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Related: 2026 NFL Mock Draft: Trades Take Over First Round of NFL Draft
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