Carolina Panthers DRAFT PICKS | FOX Sports

2026 NFL DRAFT

RD	PICK	TEAM		PLAYER	TRADE FROM
1	19		Panthers	Monroe Freeling With a steady stream of NFL blockers ahead of him on Georgia’s depth chart, Freeling had to wait his turn before seeing the field in Athens, starting just 16 games before heading early to the NFL. But there isn’t a blocker in this class who looks the part of an NFL left tackle more than the loose and long 6-foot-7, 315-pound Freeling. Georgia, T · POS RK 3	-
2	49		Panthers	Lee Hunter Disappointing workout results might have highlighted some of Hunter’s athletic limitations, but the big man dominated in the trenches during Texas Tech’s playoff run, as well as at the Senior Bowl, winning with a stunning combination of explosive first step quickness and overwhelming brute strength. Texas Tech, DT · POS RK 5	MIN
3	83		Panthers	Chris Brazzell II Brazzell reminds me a lot of Bengals star Tee Higgins in size and style, towering over cornerbacks with an imposing 6-foot-4 frame. But it's his rare burst off the snap that separates him from most taller vertical threats. Tennessee, WR · POS RK 7	-
4	129		Panthers	Will Lee IIITexas A&M, CB · POS RK 19	LAR, CHI
5	144		Panthers	Sam Hecht Quick as a hiccup with the low center of gravity well-suiting to his position, Hecht isn’t overpowering. But his agility and play-through-the-whistle mentality suggest a long NFL career. Kansas State, C · POS RK 3	TEN, LAR, TEN, CHI
5	151		Panthers	Zakee Wheatley He boasts prototypical size (6-2, 200) and excellent ball skills (six INTs among 12 career PBUs), but Wheatley must improve his open-field tackling. Penn State, S · POS RK 6	MIA
7	227		Panthers	Jackson KuwatchMiami (OH), LB	MIA