The Carolina Panthers concluded their participation in the 2026 NFL Draft with a flurry of trades, aiming to bolster their roster after securing the NFC South title. General Manager Dan Morgan orchestrated multiple dealings, including moving down the draft board on Saturday before ultimately selecting Will Lee III, a cornerback from Texas A&M, in the fourth round.
The team's draft strategy involved significant player movement, culminating in acquiring several new talents across different positions.
The Panthers kicked off their draft by selecting offensive tackle Monroe Freeling with the 19th overall pick in the first round, addressing a key need. This was followed by securing defensive tackle Lee Hunter from Texas Tech in the second round. Later on day three, Morgan traded back twice, first with Jacksonville and then Chicago, before picking Will Lee III and then Zakee Wheatley, a safety from Penn State, whom they traded up to select at pick No. 151.
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Other selections included center Sam Hecht from Kansas State, picked at No. 144, adding competition to the offensive line. The Panthers also acquired edge rusher Trey Moore from Texas and Zach Durfee from Washington.
Throughout the draft, Morgan engaged in a series of trades. Notably, the Panthers traded a fourth and fifth-round pick to the Bears for their fourth and fifth-round selections. Earlier, they had exchanged a fourth and sixth-round pick with Jacksonville for a fourth and fifth-rounder. This series of transactions highlights a deliberate effort to accumulate assets and target specific player needs.
