In contrast to the previous handful of years, the forecast on the Carolina Panthers' first-round pick is a bit cloudy. Instead of choosing from a few of the very top prospects within the top 10 slots of the draft, their position in 2026—at 19th overall—could present a wealth of different avenues.

In fact, president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan conveyed as much—stating last week that "all positions" are on the table for Thursday night.

So, what positions and players do the sport's top experts see the Panthers taking in the opening round of this year's selection process?

Here—via a group of 30 insiders, reporters and analysts—are the final predictions for Carolina's first-round pick:

Dane Brugler (The Athletic): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Eric Edholm (NFL Media): Kadyn Proctor, OL, Alabama

Josh Edwards (CBS Sports): Chris Johnson, CB, San Diego State

Mike Florio (Pro Football Talk): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Danny Heifetz (The Ringer): Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

Nathan Jahnke (Pro Football Focus): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Daniel Jeremiah (NFL Media): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Mike Kaye (The Charlotte Observer): Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

Danny Kelly (The Ringer): Akheem Mesidor, EDGE, Miami (Fla.)

Mel Kiper Jr. (ESPN): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Dave Kluge (Footballguys): Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

Todd McShay (The Ringer): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Josh Norris (Underdog Sports): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Conor Orr (Sports Illustrated): Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Joe Person (The Athletic): Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

Mike Renner (CBS Sports): Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee