Panthers Busy at NFL Combine, Meet with Top Prospects

Carolina Panthers track prospect visits at the 2026 NFL Combine

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Carolina Panthers have been actively meeting with top prospects at the 2026 NFL Combine, including linebacker Sonny Styles, linebacker Jacob Rodriguez from Texas Tech, and cornerback Daylen Everette from Georgia. The team is looking to bolster its defense through the draft, with Rodriguez and Everette potentially being second-round targets.

Why it matters

The Panthers are coming off a disappointing season and need to find impact players in the draft to help turn the team around. Their meetings with these prospects indicate the areas they are prioritizing, such as linebacker and cornerback, as they look to build a stronger defense.

The details

The Panthers met with Sonny Styles, a linebacker from Ohio State who is projected to be a first-round pick. They also met with Jacob Rodriguez, a linebacker from Texas Tech who is rising up draft boards, and Daylen Everette, a cornerback from Georgia who earned third-team All-SEC honors in the last two seasons. The team is likely looking to add depth and talent to its defense through the draft.

  • The Panthers met with Sonny Styles, Jacob Rodriguez, and Daylen Everette at the 2026 NFL Combine.

The players

Sonny Styles

A linebacker from Ohio State who is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

Jacob Rodriguez

A linebacker from Texas Tech who is rising up draft boards and had a dominant college season.

Daylen Everette

A cornerback from Georgia who earned third-team All-SEC honors in the last two seasons.

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What they’re saying

“I met with the #Panthers at the Senior Bowl, I met with them here. It's been great. I'd be excited to be in Charlotte. I went for the Nagurski and I thought it was a beautiful place. I would love to see myself there as well. I think everything they do from the top down just a great organization that is training very well.”

— Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech Linebacker (Twitter)

What’s next

The Panthers will continue to meet with prospects at the NFL Combine as they evaluate their options for the upcoming draft. They will be looking to add impact players on defense to help turn the team around.

The takeaway

The Panthers' meetings with top defensive prospects at the NFL Combine indicate their focus on improving their defense through the draft. With the team coming off a disappointing season, they will be looking to find impact players who can help them return to contention in the NFC South.