The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2026 Football Preview. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps, as well as draft class analysis from Ryan McCrystal. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2026 Football Preview.
Every team is excited about their incoming class of rookies, but how will those new players affect each team in 2026?
Let's look at the Carolina Panthers, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from their class while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
Carolina Panthers 2026 Draft Class: Which Rookies Will Make an Impact?
The selection of Monroe Freeling (first round) made sense from both a need and value perspective, but it is odd to see a team hoping to turn the corner and build off last year’s playoff appearance select someone unlikely to start immediately. Freeling is a developmental left tackle prospect and will likely replace Ikem Ekwonu in that role in 2027. In the short term, however, Ekwonu is expected to remain at left tackle (when healthy) with Rasheed Walker keeping the seat warm if Ekwonu isn’t ready for Week 1. Freeling will certainly compete with Walker for the job, but with only one full year of experience under his belt, it’s unlikely Carolina elects to protect Bryce Young with an unprepared rookie.
Lee Hunter (second round) has a clearer path to the field given the underwhelming performance of Carolina’s interior defensive line. Hunter is built like a nose tackle and is capable of filling that role, but he’s more productive as a pass rusher than the typical space-eating nose tackle. Hunter lined up as Texas Tech’s nose tackle 38% of the time in 2025, but he generated a strong 8.7% pressure rate when at other spots on the interior line. His versatility will be valuable to Ejiro Evero’s multiple-front scheme.
The selection of Chris Brazzell II (third round) falls into the same category as Freeling. It was a need, and the value was right, but he probably won’t make a significant impact as a rookie. Brazzell spent the last two years in Josh Heupel’s veer-and-shoot spread offense at Tennessee. In that scheme, receivers are tasked with learning only a handful of vertical and option routes in order to speed up the offense. Brazzell has the traits to develop into a well-rounded receiver, but as a rookie, expect his usage to be fairly limited 一 though he’ll likely produce a few big plays down the field.
Will Lee III (fourth round) is an enigma of a prospect but definitely has the raw talent of a potential starter at cornerback. After starting his career in the JUCO ranks, he had a breakout year in 2023 at Kansas State before transferring to Texas A&M. Despite being surrounded by significantly more talent with the Aggies, his production fell off a cliff and never recovered. Expect Lee to provide depth in the short term as the Panthers try to develop his technique to make him more consistent.
Sam Hecht (fifth round) was viewed as a potential Day 2 selection entering the draft due to his ability to start immediately at center. He will compete with free-agent addition Luke Fortner for the starting job. The downside to selecting Hecht is his lack of size and experience at guard, which might mean he can only play center. It’s tough to carry a center-only backup on the roster, but since Fortner is on a cheap one-year contract and Carolina doesn’t know what it will get from him, expect Hecht to make the team.
Zakee Wheatley (fifth round) joins a crowded depth chart at safety and will be limited to special teams duties in the short term. During his five years at Penn State, he played over 400 special teams snaps on almost every unit, so he should fit in easily and win a roster spot.
Jackson Kuwatch (seventh round) was a former walk-on at Ohio State who then spent three seasons at Miami of Ohio but struggled to get on the field until his redshirt-senior year. Extensive special teams experience should help Kuwatch make the roster, but he will be buried on the depth chart at linebacker.
It’s hard to criticize this Panthers class too much. GM Dan Morgan got decent value with most of his selections, but the lack of immediate help is surprising considering the team’s desire to support its young quarterback and build off last year’s surprising playoff appearance.
This analysis continues in the 2026 Football Preview
Order Warren Sharp's 2026 Football Preview to Get Penalty Analysis for All 32 NFL Teams
Warren Sharp’s 600+ page full-color PDF, the 2026 Football Preview, is unlike anything you have read. Stunning visualizations, including new heat maps and stat pages, are built with the reader in mind. Innovative, next-level thought processes abound in every team chapter and article.
Get Warren's Book
Warren Sharp's book shares insights into the players, coaches, teams, and philosophies with one goal: to prepare you for the 2026 NFL season with the smartest information delivered in the fastest, most direct way possible for optimal reviewing and retention.
- Team Chapters previews are in-depth, data-driven & full of actionable info
- Fantasy Football player profiles, predictions, and ranks
- Vegas Odds forecast team wins, division rankings, lines for all 2026 games
- Coaching strategic advice for teams, play-calling analysis & team tendencies
- Front Office Analysis positional spending, roster construction & cap analysis
- Reasons to bet over/under win totals & analysis of futures betting market
- Rookie draft class deep dive into impact for every team
- Rankings for every positional unit on every team with analysis
- Penalty analysis for all 32 NFL teams