Dan Morgan has been the general manager of the Carolina Panthers for two draft processes. The 2026 NFL Draft will be his third as president of football operations/GM. Ironically, former NFL linebacker Morgan has only invested a first-round pick in a wide receiver in the two drafts he has presided over.
In 2024, the Panthers made Xavier Leggett the 32nd overall pick in the first round. He has yet to compile 1,000 total yards (860 career total). Meanwhile, last year's selection, Tetaroa McMillan, who was taken eighth overall, gained 1,014 receiving yards while earning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in his first season.
Despite the Panthers selecting a receiver in the first round in each of the last two drafts, Carolina still has a need at the position. After all, Leggett hasn't developed into the star the Panthers hoped, not like McMillan.
Even though the Panthers have done this in back-to-back years, their GM still says Carolina could target another receiver with their first-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, where they are ranked 19th.
"No. I think with anything, we're going to take the best player," Morgan said via the team's website. "So if we feel like the best player is someone who is 19 years old, I wouldn't hesitate to draft another wideout. I don't think there's any rule that says you can't draft a wide receiver three years in a row. So I wouldn't really put us in a box and say we wouldn't draft him."
The Panthers are generally projected to target a receiver in the first round. After seeing how much of an impact McMillen 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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