Carolina Panthers 2026 NFL Draft: CFN College Football Take on Every Pick

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Apr 27, 2026 1:54 AM ET

This was a draft about keeping the momentum going.

Carolina had a good season. Now it needs to start filling in the gaps and upgrading a bit, and it has to do everything possible to get more out of the passing game and keep others from throwing the ball.

There wasn't a ton of star power with this haul, but it was an effective draft that should get the job done.

Panther Draft Quick Hits

Best Value: Zakee Wheatley, S Penn State
Biggest Need: Defensive Backs
Missed: Pass Rushers
Big Call: The fifth round picks will both work

What They Got Right

They found value just about everywhere. It's okay not to have any household names when you get a slew of solid players who should be able to at least find their way in a rotation.

Other than first round tackle Monroe Freeling, there aren't future all-stars in this draft class, but there's a lot to like.

What They Missed

Edge rushers. They went after some Day 3 fliers for the secondary, but they didn't address the pass rush that needed more live bodies to help those new defensive backs.

Best Value Pick

Zakee Wheatley, S Penn State
Take your pick among a few players - center Sam Hecht is right up there - but getting a safety like Wheatley in the fifth was a find. The position is undervalued, but in terms of talent, he should've gone on Friday.

Biggest Reach

Lee Hunter, DT Texas Tech
Call this a technicality. Hunter is a better prospect than he appeared to be on most boards, but he was more like a late second-to-mid-third round prospect and went a tad early.

CFN Draft Grade

Grade: A-
It's not an A only because they didn't desperately need an offensive tackle, and that's what they got in the first round when there were still several strong edge rushers there for the taking.

Again, most fans aren't going to dig this class because it doesn't have enough curb appeal. Whatever - it was a good, smart draft.

Panthers Draft Class

Round 1, (19): Monroe Freeling, OT Georgia
Anything that helps let Bryce Young do his job is a positive. Decent value at the 19.

Round 2, (49): Lee Hunter, DT Texas Tech
A great, underappreciated star of the great Texas Tech line. He’ll be a great fit.

Round 3, (83): Chris Brazzell II, WR Tennessee
Look out. With the 6-4 Brazzell with Tetairoa McMillan the passing game will explode.

Round 4, (129): Will Lee III, CB Texas A&M
A big corner who might end up at safety, he’s a baller who’s great when the ball is in the air.

Round 5, (144): Sam Hecht, C Kansas State
Our best center in the draft, he slid, but he’ll anchor the Panther line for the next ten years.

Round 5, (151): Zakee Wheatley, S Penn State
Huge with experience, he’s an amazing value Day 3 get - he should’ve gone in the second.

Round 7, (227): Jackson Kuwatch, LB Miami University
Fine, it’s a seventh round pick on a try-hard guy who made a ton of tackles in college.

- Baltimore Ravens NFL Draft Analysis