Panthers' Top-30 Visits Paint Clear Picture of First-Round Draft Plans

The Carolina Panthers have met with a ton of different players in the pre-draft process. A lot of this is due diligence or an attempt to find late-round draft picks that fit with the team's scheme and depth chart.

The top-30 visits are different, though. These are the visits where prospective players will come to the building to be medically tested, interviewed, and closely assessed. There's a good chance the Panthers will draft some players they had top-30 visits with.

And so far, those visits seem to paint a pretty clear picture of what position the Panthers want to draft.

Panthers clearly looking at wide receiver and tight end as top-30 visits pile up

Indiana Hoosiers wide receiver Omar Cooper Jr. (3) against the Miami Hurricanes | Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Panthers have spent the last two first-round picks on wide receivers, drafting Xavier Legette (32nd) and Tetairoa McMillan (eighth). Still, it's not enough, as the team has been predicted to draft another in several mock drafts.

It's easy to see why. Take a look at their top-30 visits so far. The latest, Omar Cooper Jr., is a clear indicator of where this team's head is at. They want another wide receiver, and they could spend the 19th pick on one.

Following Pro Day today, Indiana WR Omar Cooper Jr. will head to Carolina for a 30 visit with the Panthers, per source. They’ve done a lot of work on receivers and Cooper Jr. could be an option at No. 19 overall. pic.twitter.com/dBBgzMJV4E
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) April 1, 2026

Cooper Jr. isn't the only one. They've also spent a top-30 visit on KC Concepcion. And outside of the wide receiver spot, they've also visited with tight ends Oscar Delp and Dae'Quan Black. The Panthers would love a pass-catcher in the draft.

Even just looking at their normal Zoom calls or Pro Day meetings, it's clear the Panthers want a pass-catcher. They have also talked with:

Temple WR Kajiya Hollowayne
Oregon WR Malik Benson
Notre Dame TE Eli Reardon
Wyoming TE John Michael Gyllenborg
Florida WR J Michael Sturdivant
SMU WR Jordan Hudson
Ole Miss WR De'Zhaun Stribling
Texas Tech WR Caleb Douglas

There are even some running backs in there, but the theme is beginning to present itself. The Panthers still believe they can upgrade the pass-catching corps for Bryce Young. It's hard to disagree.

Tetairoa McMillan is great, and so is Jalen Coker. Otherwise, it's still pretty barren. Xavier Legette is a bust who continues to slide down the depth chart. John Metchie is a long-shot reclamation project. David Moore is a WR5 on most teams. Brycen Tremayne is a special teamer.

Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver KC Concepcion (7) returns a punt | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

Tight end might be worse. Ja'Tavion Sanders has never recorded 65 receiving yards in a game. Tommy Tremble has just over 1,000 career yards in five seasons. Mitchell Evans had just 19 catches in 17 games last year.

This is a huge year for the Panthers, but especially for Bryce Young. The team seems to recognize that, and they're looking at all avenues to continue providing weapons for him.