Grading the Carolina Panthers Draft Class
The Carolina Panthers have made all of their draft picks, how did they fare?
The NFL Draft is now over for the Carolina Panthers, and they added seven rookies to their roster (plus more through free agency following the draft).
General Manager Dan Morgan has thoroughly prioritized the trenches throughout the 2026 NFL Draft, with multiple picks along the offensive line (as well as a defensive lineman early on Friday). He added value picks along the perimeter, and stuck very close to the consensus NFL Draft board.
Let’s get to the grades.
1.19 - Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia
I wrote an entire article grading the Monroe Freeling pick, so I won’t go into as much detail here. But Freeling will compete for the starting left tackle spot in 2026 while providing long-term upside. Freeling has tools to become one of the better players at the position.
Carolina selected a position of need, one which is a premium position and hard to find in the later rounds. He was a value, and the top-player for SportCLT on our Panthers-specific big board.
Grade: A
2.49 - Lee Hunter, DL, Texas Tech
Lee Hunter is a big, long, two-gapping nose tackle that the Panthers likely view as the A’Shawn Robinson replacement. It’s rare that you find nose tackles that are capable of playing on both rushing and passing downs, and despite Hunter’s older age, he broke out relatively early at UCF before transferring to Texas Tech prior to this past season.
It’s another commitment from Dan Morgan to the trenches, and though Hunter is ranked No. 45 on the consensus board, I am a bit lower on Hunter. I’ve got questions about his get-off (particularly against NFL linemen) and ability to hold up against double teams.
The fit in Carolina is pretty seamless, so I won’t harp on the pick too much, but I am lower than most - especially with Carolina having to trade up to secure him.
Grade: C
3.83 - Chris Brazzell, WR, Tennessee
Chris Brazzell definitely what Dave Canales looks for in his wide receivers: size, speed, and ball skills. I think that Brazzell immediately becomes the downfield threat that the Panthers have been missing, but it could take some time for him to grow into more than that.
Tennessee wide receivers generally come into the NFL having to learn more - the system at Tennessee isn’t designed to produce NFL receivers. There’s more to Brazzell’s game, he showed it at Tulane prior to transferring. Still, he’s a smooth athlete that has natural deceleration skills, high-end speed, and that’s a skill set the Panthers have lacked the past two years under Canales. I think Brazzell starts this year, even if his role is limited (see: Dont’e Thornton).
Grade: B
4.129 - Will Lee, DB, Texas A&M
Will Lee is a long, physical press corner that has some sticky coverage ability. He’s better utilized in man coverage schemes, so I’m a bit surprised the Panthers picked him in the fourth round, but I understand their belief in the talent. It almost makes me wonder if the long-term plan would be for Lee to become the Mike Jackson replacement, as Jackson is reaching the age that corners typically become more inconsistent.
Lee is a player that could have feasibly been selected as high as the third round, and Carolina has been in need of more bodies in the defensive back room. I like the talent and the long-term fit.
Grade: B
5.144 - Sam Hecht, iOL, Kansas State
I thought the Panthers would take a look at Sam Hecht as early as the SECOND ROUND. For them to snag him in the early fifth round is a tremendous value, and someone that I believe can press the newly-signed Luke Fortner for the starting center spot this fall.
Hecht is tall despite some other frame concerns, he moves well in space and getting to the second level and works well on double-teams. In pass-pro, he’s sufficient in picking up blitzes and twists.
Hecht was ranked No. 80 on the consensus big board, and to get him 64 spots later is undeniably a steal, and a really exciting pick for Carolina. This was the best value of the draft, to me - getting potentially a starting-caliber center this late.
Grade: A
5.158 - Zakee Wheatley, DB, Penn State
Zakee Wheatley is another player that most analysts projected to go at some point on day two. He was ranked No. 88 on the consensus board, and once again, fills a position of need for the Carolina Panthers.
Wheatley is an older, long, athletic safety that has continued to grow late in his college career. He should compete with Nick Scott to play real snaps as a rookie, particularly in that over-the-top center-fielding role.
Wheatley, though, was all over the field for the Nittany Lions - he played corner, linebacker, safety, and slot at times, flashing talent at each spot.
Wheatley is someone I’d describe as a “final frame” player. He’s always finding himself near the ball or point of attack, in a spot to make a play.
Again, getting a defensive back projected to go much higher is a great value for Dan Morgan and his front office. I think there’s a real shot for Wheatley to contribute from Week 1.
Grade: A
7.227 - Jackson Kuwatch, LB, Miami (OH)
I’m going to be honest, I don’t know how to grade this. I never watched him play, he wasn’t really talked about in the pre-draft process, and Kuwatch wasn’t ranked on the consensus board.
It’s a sicko pick, and this late in the draft, that’s kid of all that matters to me. Kuwatch has some impressive measurables for a linebacker - a height/weight/speed guy that should be able to get on the field for special teams.
Grade: Incomplete
Overall Class Grade
I think the Panthers did really well with their 2026 NFL Draft Class. Time will tell, of course, but I really like the mindset of investing into the trenches early and often. The Monroe Freeling pick was one I am a big fan of, and even if the Lee Hunter selection was underwhelming to me, I still think the Panthers came back around with really great values on day three with the Hecht and Wheatley selections in particular.