Panthers snag stellar talent in the 2026 draft, bolstering trenches and offense. Experts hail their value picks, expecting immediate impact and future contention.
The Carolina Panthers have added seven rookies to their roster before voluntary minicamp in May.
The Panthers are trying to build a roster that can better contend in the playoffs after losing by three points in the wild-card round in January to the Los Angeles Rams.
Monroe Freeing, Carolina's first-round pick, is set to compete with Rasheed Walker for a starting spot on the offensive line. The Panthers boosted the trenches again in round two, adding Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter.
The Panthers may have gotten one of the better steals in the draft with Tennessee receiver Chris Brazell II. There were questions about the receivers maturity before the draft, or he could have gone higher in the draft.
Jordan Reid of ESPN named the Panthers his favorite class of the 2026 draft. He thinks the team was able to get some of the best value in each round.
The value that Carolina was able to get in each round was exceptional," Reid wrote. "Monroe Freeing has the versatility to be their right or left tackle of the future.
"They continue to emphasize the trenches by adding defensive tackle Lee Hunter in Round 2 while also giving Bryce Young another playmaker in the third round in wide receiver Chris Barzell Jr."
Panthers head coach Dave Canales believes the players taken in the 2026 draft will create immediate competition during OTAs and training camp.
"We always start with our roster, but then trying to find guys that fit the traits and characteristics, personality of who the Panthers are," Canales said. "And that's what we were looking for, to just get more of that.
"And it's going to be the same thing every year, you know, can we, how can we make the 2026 Panthers the best possible unit that we can make it? And if we have guys that bring a certain skill set at any position, to give them a chance to compete and be out there, we just feel like it elevates the whole group."
Another great pick for the Panthers was center Sam Hecht out of Kansas State.
The additions in the trenches should pay off for the team in 2026, but could be even more noticeable in a couple of years as the team contends for the postseason.