The latest Panthers mock draft suggests adding a Texas playmaker to bolster Bryce Young’s limited offensive options. Isaiah Bond, a former teammate of Young at Alabama, would be an excellent addition. Young urgently needs a reliable weapon, especially with Adam Thielen aging and no major moves made in free agency or trades. This leaves the draft as the primary avenue for improvement, and in ESPN’s Matt Miller’s recent mock draft, they address this need.
However, the Panthers don’t go for first-round prospects like Tetairoa McMillan or late-second-round options like Jayden Higgins and Savion Williams. Instead, they secure Bond in the third round. Miller noted, “Bryce Young’s strong second-half performance should give Carolina fans hope, but he still requires playmakers. Bond’s deep speed and ability to make big plays are areas the Panthers currently lack.”
Young and Bond already have some established chemistry, having played together at Alabama before Bond transferred to Texas. This is important since many of the Panthers’ current young receivers haven’t developed that same rapport with Young. While the Panthers are likely to prioritize defense with their top picks, spending a mid-round selection on Bond would be a smart move, particularly if they can address their defensive needs with their first two picks.
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