The Carolina Panthers broke the bank in free agency to ensure Bryce Young finally has a fighting chance in 2026.
There was one position in particular that left GM Dan Morgan scrambling for the type of options the Panthers roster desperately needs: a big-bodied, mountain of a tight end.
Their 19th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft would be their best chance to get an actual Young threat that Young can target over the middle.
Dae'Quan Wright to the Panthers in 2026 NFL Draft?
Back here in Oxford, Pete Golding is preparing to say goodbye to exactly the type of TE the Panthers need as their first-round pick: Dae'Quan Wright.
Per Jordan Schultz's reports, Wright is firmly on the Panthers' radar with an official visit to Bank of America Stadium locked in.
Panthers' need for massive, physical TE exponentially shoots up Wright's draft stock as a first-round pick. As a 6'4", 246-pound big target, Wright is an effective receiver and run blocker with more development, which lines up with the current state of the Panthers’ tight end position.
Given that the Panthers manage to refine Wright's techniques to a pro-level caliber, they have a massive threat when paired with Young to cover the center.
Currently, the Panthers TE room has Tommy Tremble, Mitchell Evans, Ja’Tavion Sanders, and Feleipe Franks. They do the job, but they need someone who can plant their flag as a threat that keeps the opponents up at night.
With the right pro-level polish, Wright has the raw tools to evolve into exactly that kind of game-breaking threat.