Carolina Panthers cap NFL Draft to ‘challenge the roster’  

TEXAS A&M ATHLETICS

The Carolina Panthers drafted former Texas A&M cornerback Will Lee III in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft to compete for playing time at nickel corner.

Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan played his game during the NFL Draft.  

Morgan executed three trades on Saturday, positioning Carolina to pick their final four prospects: cornerback Will Lee III, center Sam Hecht, safety Zakee Wheatley and linebacker Jackson Kuwatch. 

“I think you saw us maneuver around the board a little bit,” Morgan said via teleconference. “I think it worked out in our favor in the end.” 

Time will tell. 

From early analysis, it appears the Panthers, who filled most of their projected 2026 roster voids during free agency, drafted more on potential and long-term development. 

Coach Dave Canales disagreed. “For me, it’s all about right now,” he said. 

GM makes moves  

Morgan’s primary goal entering the draft was to create competition through depth. 

“I feel good about what we accomplished,” he said. “We are bringing in guys to challenge the roster.” 

Morgan worked to pick Lee, whose nickname is “The Blanket,” by engineering two fourth-round transactions before picking Lee at No. 129 overall. 

Initially slated to open Day 3 of the draft at No. 119, Morgan made a deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars to move back five positions. Morgan also acquired the No. 166 pick in exchange for the 196th. 

The Panthers held those picks for less than five minutes. Morgan moved those assets to the Chicago Bears for the right to pick Lee and the No. 144 selection. 

At 6-foot-1, 189 pounds, Lee, who compiled four career interceptions, earned 2024 second-team All-SEC honors, earned his nickname by collecting 16 passes defended over two seasons at Texas A&M. He could compete with Chau Smith-Wade for time at nickel corner.  

“They really haven’t told me anything specific, but you know I am willing to play anywhere,” Lee said. “I’m ready to put in the work.” 

The Panthers’ second fifth-round pick netted former Kansas State center Hecht to fill a roster need.  

After losing free-agent Cade Mays and signing Luke Fortner to a one-year contract in free agency, the 144th pick could be in line to take over the position in 2027. 

After making his third trade Saturday, coordinating with the Miami Dolphins to move up in the fifth round, Morgan selected former Penn State cornerback Wheatley with the 151st pick.  

Scout Inc. reported that Wheatley may need to improve his tackling but has ball-hawking skills Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero covets. Dubbed the “Turnover King,” Wheatley was credited with 11 career takeaways, including six interceptions, at Penn State. 

“I would describe my game as versatile, fluent,” Wheatley said. “I like going sideline to sideline, making plays. I’m someone who’s going tobe aggressive, be super tough and give it my all every single time I strap my helmet up.” 
Morgan took a seventh-round flyer with the addition of Kuwatch, who played at Miami (Ohio). He compiled 109 total tackles for the RedHawks in 2025 and likely will start his NFL career on special teams. 

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