The Carolina Panthers are entering a new era under Dan Morgan and Dave Canales, following a 2026 draft that many experts have graded as an A+. In this video, we break down every pick, the high-upside UDFA class, and the projected 53-man depth chart.

2026 Draft Class Breakdown

• Monroe Freeling (OT, Georgia):

  • Strengths: Elite athleticism for his 6’7” frame, clocking a 4.93s 40-yard dash. His pass-blocking grade jumped to a dominant 86.1 in 2025.

    
    

  • Weaknesses: Currently a project as a run blocker (61.3 PFF grade) and needs to add 10-15 pounds of functional mass.

    
    

  • Fit: Will compete immediately at Left Tackle with Rasheed Walker while Ikem Ekwonu recovers from injury.

    
    

• Lee Hunter (NT, Texas Tech):

  • Strengths: An "immovable object" in the run game with a massive 84.5 PFF run-defense grade.

    
    

  • Weaknesses: Offers limited production as a pass rusher.

    
    

  • Fit: The essential anchor for Ejiro Evero’s 3-4 base defense at the zero-technique.

    
    

• Chris Brazzell II (WR, Tennessee):

  • Strengths: A legitimate vertical threat with a 6'4" frame and a massive catch radius.

    
    

  • Weaknesses: His route tree is currently limited and his production was inconsistent in college.

    
    

  • Fit: Projects as a WR3 who can "take the top off" the defense opposite Tetairoa McMillan.

    
    

• Will Lee III (CB, Texas A&M):

  • Strengths: Highly competitive press-man specialist with great length and ball skills.

    
    

  • Weaknesses: Lacks elite top-end speed and can be vulnerable to vertical burners.

    
    

  • Fit: Adds critical competition to the secondary, likely fitting in as a nickelback or aggressive boundary corner.

    
    

• Sam Hecht (OC, Kansas State):

  • Strengths: Technically sound; allowed zero sacks and zero QB hits across 759 snaps in 2025.

    
    

  • Weaknesses: Undersized compared to elite NFL nose tackles.

    
    

  • Fit: Expected to push Luke Fortner for the starting center job.

    
    

• Zakee Wheatley (S, Penn State):

  • Strengths: Known as the "Takeaway King" for his range and ability to create turnovers in single-high looks.

    
    

  • Weaknesses: His slender build makes him less effective in box run support.

    
    

  • Fit: Projected as the starting free safety to help Evero disguise secondary coverages.

    
    

• Jackson Kuwatch (LB, Miami OH):

  • Strengths: High-motor defender with elite tackling production (109 tackles in 2025) and special teams versatility.

    
    

  • Weaknesses: Minimal statistical production prior to his breakout senior season.

    
    

  • Fit: Core special teams contributor and rotational depth at inside linebacker.

    
    

Undrafted Free Agents (UDFAs)The Panthers signed 11 UDFAs to bolster competition :

• Haynes King (QB, Georgia Tech): Developmental dual-threat with $250,000-$300,000 guaranteed.

• Aaron Hall (DT, Duke)

• Isaia Glass (OL, Vandrbilt)

• Isaiah Smith (DE/OLB, SMU)

• Cam Miller (CB, Rutgers)

• Jaylin Guilbeau (DB, Texas)

• DeVonta Smith (CB, Notre Dame)

• Kobe Prentice (WR, Baylor)

• Parker Peterson (DT, Wisconsin)

• Albert Reese IV (OT, Mississippi State)

• Malick Meiga (WR, Coastal Carolina)