Carolina Panthers: 2026 NFL Draft Grades

The Carolina Panthers did an excellent job throughout the 2026 NFL draft balancing immediate roster needs with strong overall value. The Panthers consistently targeted players who not only filled clear holes on the roster, but also fit the long-term direction of the team. There is a strong blend of upside, trench reinforcement, and offensive fit throughout the class, giving Carolina several players capable of contributing early while also building sustainable depth for the future.

Carolina Panthers: 2026 NFL Draft Class Overview

Draft Pick Selections

Round 1 | Pick 19 overall

Monroe Freeling | OT | Georgia

Monroe Freeling carried legitimate upside to be selected significantly earlier than this, making the value at No. 19 particularly appealing. His combination of size, length, and athletic ability simply cannot be taught. And, his development trajectory over the course of the season was extremely encouraging. While his lows on tape were inconsistent, the flashes of high-level starting traits were evident.

With Ikem Ekwonu recovering from a ruptured patellar tendon suffered in January, Carolina not only secures insurance at a premium position, but potentially lands a long-term answer at tackle regardless of recovery timeline.

Round 2 | Pick 49 Overall

Lee Hunter | DT | Texas Tech

Hunter is a natural fit for Carolina’s 3-4 defense as a powerful, run-stuffing nose tackle with developmental upside as a pass rusher. His best work as a penetrating interior defender came during Senior Bowl week. There, he flashed improved disruption ability and power at the point of attack. If he can continue refining his pad level and leverage consistency, there is real potential for him to evolve into a three-down contributor rather than simply an early-down run defender.

Round 3 | Pick 83 Overall

Chris Brazzell II | WR | Tennessee

Brazzell fills a critical missing element in Carolina’s offense as a true vertical field-stretching threat capable of stressing defenses deep. His speed and explosiveness immediately complement the skill sets already present in the receiver room. This is particularly true alongside Tetairoa McMillan’s complete X-receiver profile and the underneath physicality of Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker. Beyond the vertical element, Brazzell also flashed encouraging route-breaking ability underneath, giving optimism that he can eventually develop into a legitimate three-level receiving threat.

Round 4 | Pick 129 Overall

Will Lee III | CB | Texas A&M

Lee offers intriguing length and developmental outside corner traits at solid value in the fourth round. He brings physicality and competitive toughness in coverage while showing flashes of the recovery ability needed to survive on the perimeter. Lee has the ability to play both press-man and zone coverage and is an excellent scheme fit for Carolina and projects favorably as a starter early in his career.

Round 5 | Pick 144 Overall

Sam Hecht | C | Kansas State

Sam Hecht was one of the better value selections for the Carolina Panthers in the 2026 NFL draft. Hecht was one of the top zone-oriented centers in the draft and has the ability to fit well within the Panthers’ offensive identity — if they lean into the zone run game more that is. Carolina leaned slightly toward zone rushing concepts last season, particularly with Chuba Hubbard who remains with the team in 2026. With former running mate Rico Dowdle, there was a slight lean into gap/man rush scheme. With Hubbard and Jonathan Brooks being better fits in zone, Hecht movement skills and processing ability are a clean fit to this transition. There is a legitimate pathway for him to compete for a starting role early in his career.

Round 5 | Pick 151 Overall

Zakee Wheatley | S | Penn State

This felt like tremendous value relative to where Wheatley was selected. I have him graded as an average starter coming into the draft and that is excellent value in the fifth round of the draft. He brings versatility, range, and physicality to the secondary while flashing strong downhill instincts and reliable tackling ability. There is developmental upside still remaining in his coverage discipline, but the athletic profile and play style make this an excellent mid-round investment for a defense looking to add speed and flexibility on the back end.

Round 7 | Pick 227 Overall

Jackson Kuwatch | LB | Miami (OH)

Kuwatch projects primarily as a developmental depth linebacker and special teams contributor early in his career. His path to a roster role will likely come through effort, physicality, and versatility within the kicking game while he continues to refine his processing at linebacker. For a late seventh-round selection, Carolina adds a player with developmental traits and defined depth value.

Best Value Pick — Sam Hecht | C | Kansas State

Hecht was one of the best value selections in the entire Panthers class given both the draft slot and schematic fit. His movement skills, intelligence, and comfort operating in zone concepts align perfectly with Carolina’s offensive direction. Landing a potential long-term starting center in the fifth round represents outstanding value.

Biggest Question Mark — Jackson Kuwatch | LB | Miami (OH)

Kuwatch becomes the default “question mark” largely because the remainder of Carolina’s class feels extremely well aligned from both a value and roster-building perspective. His projection is more developmental and role-specific compared to the clearer pathways possessed by the rest of the class. However, at this stage of the draft, developmental uncertainty is far more acceptable. Chris Brazzell II was a consideration here due to his projection and some off-the-field question, but for the talent, mid third round is value that I’m willing to overlook the question marks in acquiring him.

Final Thoughts

This was one of the cleaner overall draft classes from a roster construction standpoint. Carolina consistently identified value while also addressing meaningful roster needs across both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. The additions of Monroe Freeling, Lee Hunter reinforce the identify of this team and Chris Brazzell II adds an element this offense was missing. Additionally, mid-round value selections like Sam Hecht and Zakee Wheatley add significant upside relative to draft position. Overall, this class feels balanced, intentional, and well-positioned to contribute both immediately and long term.

Final Draft Grade: A-