The Carolina Panthers have a relatively short history of first-round selections in the NFL Draft. The franchise’s first year in the NFL came in 1995, meaning they have just over 25 years of drafting history. As of 2022, the Panthers have not drafted a player in the first round who would go on to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Let’s examine the Panthers’ first-round NFL Draft picks in their relatively short franchise history.

Carolina Panthers first-round draft picks in history

Carolina‘s first-ever NFL Draft would see them select three times in the first round. That is one of only two times that the franchise has made multiple selections in Round 1. In contrast, the franchise has not made first-round selections on three occasions, including in back-to-back years in 2009 and 2010.

2022

• Ikem Ekwonu | Pick 6
  OT, North Carolina State

2021

• Jaycee Horn | Pick 8
  DB, South Carolina

2020

• Derrick Brown | Pick 7
  DT, Auburn

2019

• Brian Burns | Pick 16
  DE, Florida State

2018

• DJ Moore | Pick 24
  WR, Maryland

2017

• Christian McCaffrey | Pick 8
  RB, Stanford

2016

• Vernon Butler | Pick 30
  DT, Louisiana Tech

2015

• Shaq Thompson | Pick 25
  LB, Washington

2014

• Kelvin Benjamin | Pick 28
  WR, Florida State

2013

• Star Lotulelei | Pick 14
  DT, Utah

2012

• Luke Kuechly | Pick 9
  LB, Boston College

2011

• Cam Newton | Pick 1
  QB, Auburn

2010

The Panthers traded the 17th pick to the San Francisco 49ers.

2009

The Panthers traded the 28th pick to the Philadelphia Eagles.

2008

• Jonathan Stewart | Pick 13
  RB, Oregon
• Jeff Otah | Pick 19
  OT, Pittsburgh

2007

• Jon Beason | Pick 25
  LB, Miami (FL)

2006

• DeAngelo Williams | Pick 27
  RB, Memphis

2005

• Thomas Davis | Pick 14
  LB, Georgia

2004

• Chris Gamble | Pick 28
  DB, Ohio State

2003

• Jordan Gross | Pick 8
  OT, Utah

2002

• Julius Peppers | Pick 2
  DE, North Carolina

2001

• Dan Morgan | Pick 11
  LB, Miami (FL)

2000

• Rashard Anderson | Pick 23
  DB, Jackson State

1999

The Panthers traded the fifth pick to Washington. The pick was later traded to New Orleans and used to select Ricky Williams.

1998

• Jason Peter | Pick 14
  DE, Nebraska

1997

• Rae Carruth | Pick 27
  WR, Colorado

1996

• Tim Biakabutuka | Pick 8
  RB, Michigan

1995

• Kerry Collins | Pick 5
  QB, Penn State
• Tyrone Poole | Pick 22
  DB, Fort Valley State
• Blake Brockermeyer | Pick 29
  OT, Texas