The Carolina Panthers had a great 2026 NFL Draft.
According to NFL analyst Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report, the Carolina Panthers had a terrific 2026 NFL Draft.
Knox gave the Panthers the following grade for the 2026 NFL Draft: A.
Carolina drafted Monroe Freeling, Lee Hunter, Chris Brazzell II, Will Lee II, Sam Hecht, Zakee Wheatley and Jackson Kuwatch.
"The Carolina Panthers won the NFC South in 2025 and are now looking to build on their breakthrough campaign," Knox wrote. "Building around quarterback Bryce Young remains a big part of the process, and Carolina kicked off its draft by bolstering its offensive line."
The Panthers made the playoffs last season after winning the NFC South. They lost to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round at home.
Carolina QB Bryce Young finished the 2025 season with 3,011 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 216 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. He led the Panthers to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 campaign.
Young enters next season with 8,291 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns, 30 interceptions, 718 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns in a Carolina uniform. He's 14-30-0 as a starter.
Young is set to make $12.1 million next season in the fourth year of his rookie deal. His fifth-year option will be worth a guaranteed $25.9 million once exercised.
"Along with free-agent addition Rasheed Walker, Georgia's Monroe Freeling will give the Panthers some insurance at left tackle while Ikem Ekwonu recovers from a torn patellar tendon," Knox wrote. "In the long-term, Freeling should find a permanent starting role along the line, likely on the right side.
"Carolina traded up in Round 2 to add more help in the trenches. They got aid for their 20th-ranked run defense by adding Texas Tech nose tackle Lee Hunter, a surprisingly athletic 318-pound prospect who should quickly clog lanes and reset the line of scrimmage for the Panthers.
"In Round 3, the Panthers got a potential deep threat for Bryce Young in Tennessee's Chris Brazzell II. While many recent Tennessee receiver prospects have struggled to translate to the NFL, Brazzell's 4.37 speed will help add a new element to Carolina's passing attack.
"Day 3 brought some strong value for the Panthers, who had a terrific overall draft on paper. Sam Hecht and Zakee Wheatley were both ranked inside the top 100 prospects on the B/R Scouting Department's final board."
The Panthers are not expected to sign Young to an extension this offseason.
However, if Young plays well again next season, he will likely get an extension next offseason.
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