This is the danger zone of the draft.
Picks 17 through 20 typically belong to teams that hovered around the playoff picture — competitive enough to matter, flawed enough to be exposed. And in 2026, that description fits this group perfectly.
The Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, and Green Bay Packers (whose selection now belongs to the Dallas Cowboys following the Micah Parsons trade) all enter draft weekend with real expectations — but also very real roster pressure points.
These aren’t teardown teams. They’re close.
But “close” in the NFL can mean very different things. For some, it’s about fixing a defense that couldn’t get off the field in January. For others, it’s about offensive consistency, depth in the trenches, or long-term answers at premium positions.
This range is often where teams must decide: double down on a strength or patch a weakness?
With veteran contracts maturing, cap flexibility tightening, and playoff windows narrowing, these selections carry more urgency than rebuilding picks at the top of the board. Miss here, and you stay stuck in the middle. Hit, and you’re hosting a playoff game next January.
In this batch, we break down:
- The biggest roster holes for each franchise
- Contract situations and future cap implications
- Which positions should be prioritized for veterans and rookies
- Potential fantasy football implications
These teams are close enough to contend — but not complete enough to coast.
Up next: the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, and the Dallas Cowboys (via Green Bay’s selection).
Salary cap contract information provided by Spotrac.
- Fantasy Football Research & Advice
- Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- 2026 NFL Mock Drafts
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
- NFL Team Needs: Raiders, Jets, Cardinals, Titans (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Giants, Browns, Commanders, Saints (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Chiefs, Bengals, Dolphins, Cowboys (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Falcons, Ravens, Buccaneers, Colts (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Lions, Vikings, Panthers, Packers (2026)
- NFL Team Needs: Steelers, Chargers, Eagles, Jaguars (2026)
Pick 19: Carolina Panthers
2026 Free Agents:
- RB: Rico Dowdle
- WR: Hunter Renfrow, David Moore, Jalen Coker (ERFA), Bryce Tremayne (ERFA)
- TE: James Mitchell (RFA)
- OL: OT Yosh Nijman, C Cade Mays, C Austin Corbett, G Brady Christensen, RT Jake Curhan
- EDGE: D.J. Wonnum, Trevis Gipson, Thomas Incoom (RFA)
- DL: LaBryan Ray (RFA)
- LB: Christian Rozeboom, Isaiah Simmons, Krys Barnes, Claudin Cherelus (RFA)
- CB: Robert Rochell, Damarri Mathis, Akayleb Evans
- S: Nick Scott, D’Anthony Bell
- ST: Sam Martin
2027 Free Agents:
- QB: Bryce Young (CLUB), Andy Dalton
- RB: Anthony Tyus III (ERFA), Montrell Johnson (ERFA)
- WR: Dan Chisena, Ainias Smith (ERFA), Ja’seem Reed (ERFA)
- TE: Tommy Tremble, Bryce Pierre (ERFA)
- OL: OT Ikem Ekwonu, G Saahdiq Charles, G Chandler Zavala, G Ja’Tyre Carter (RFA), C Nick Samac (RFA), G Joshua Gray (ERFA)
- EDGE: Patrick Jones, Maema Njongmeta (RFA), Jamil Muhammad (ERFA)
- DL: A’Shawn Robinson, Popo Aumavae (RFA), Jared Harrison-Hunte (ERFA)
- LB: Jacoby Windmon (ERFA), Jared Bartlett (ERFA), Mapalo Mwansa (ERFA)
- CB: Michael Jackson, Tyrek Funderburk (ERFA), Michael Reid (ERFA)
- S: Demani Richardson (RFA)
- ST: J.J. Jansen
Team Needs: EDGE, C, LB, DT, TE, WR, S
The Panthers had the second-worst pressure rate generated in 2025 (31st in PFF pass rush grade).
Pass rush, please. Because the Panthers’ secondary was low-key solid in 2025. Good group of starting CBs and safeties.
More DTs are always a must. The Panthers’ run defense still hasn’t been able to fully hold opposing RBs, even with DT Derrick Brown playing at a high level. A’Shawn Robinson will be a free agent at the end of the year (also rumored to be a cut candidate, according to the Athletic). LB Christian Rozeboom is also an impending free agent. Linebacker Trevin Wallace was a third-rounder in last year’s class, but he went on IR with a shoulder injury.
Onto offense.
Rico Dowdle is a free agent. Dowdle said his decreased carries at the end of the season will impact his thinking in free agency. Claims he wants to go somewhere where he can get the bulk of the carries. Saints? Jets? Broncos?
Only time will tell. In the meantime… could 2026 be Jonathon Brooks‘ comeback szn?
We’ve already seen Chuba Hubbard lose his job once. Panthers HC Dave Canales already said he will have a chance to compete for the starting job. Both Canales and GM Dan Morgan have praised Brooks (s/o @Coachspeakindex).
Brooks is only 22 years old. Adds a pass-catching threat/element that’s missing from this running back room.
As for QB, Bryce Young will be under center with the team picking up his 5th-year option.
Across the offensive line, they need to address center with Cade Mays/Austin Corbett, each hitting the open market.
I don’t think WR is a major need, assuming they get Jalen Coker signed as an exclusive rights free agent.
Don’t rule out a potential Mike Evans-Canales reunion either. A lot of former Bucs coaches are on the Panthers staff.
Ja’Tavion Sanders hardly seems the answer at tight end for the Panthers two years into his career. They have a bunch of guys, so I could see them adding a veteran like Noah Fant (previously played with Panthers TE coach in Seattle).
Also worth mentioning that Darrell Bevell is the new assistant HC in Carolina. Spent the last four years in Miami (QBs coach and pass game coordinator). If somebody would suggest taking a flier on any former Dolphins – Tua Tagovailoa or Tyreek Hill – it very well could be Carolina.
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