Panthers' Draft Steals: Best Value in 2026 Class

0:00It's April 27th. This is NFL News Today Football coverage powered by AI. The Carolina Panthers just wrapped up what many are calling the best draft in the 2026 NFL class all about snagging insane value instead of reaching for names. They grabbed offensive tackle Monroe Freeling from Georgia at the 19th pick, a guy projected way higher who fell right to them. Then at 49th defensive tackle Lee Hunter from Texas Tech, a first team all big 12 beast perfect next to Derrick Brown. Earlier this week, the draft board shook up and the Panthers played it smart, waiting for the right falls without forcing picks. Third round at 83rd, they added wide receiver Chris Brazel II from Tennessee, a deep threat speedster who will stretch defenses for, Bryce Young and open lanes for the other receivers. Fans and analysts are buzzing because these moves hit hard on impact. Freeling bolsters the line with huge upside at left tackle, Hunter beefs up the run defense

1:00and Brazel brings that vertical fire the passing gains been missing. Late round gyms like cornerback will leave the third at 129th from Texas A&M who's nicknamed the blanket for locking down receivers, got everyone hyped too. Diving deeper into the steels, center Sam Hecht from Kansas State at 144th was graded third to fourth round but slid to them in the base. Fifth prime starter material right away. He's Zeki Wheatley from Penn State at 151st with 11 college picks and five years experience and linebacker Jackson Kuhwatch. At 227th round out, a class full of day two talents grabbed cheap. Bottom line, the Panthers build depth across trenches, secondary and skill spots without overpaying, setting up Bryce Young for a real shot this. The season while flipping the script on those mock drafts, keep pounding.