IS IT JUST ME, or......

Is it just me or does anyone else feel sort of "Ho-Hummm" after the Draft?



Usually I'm excited about at least one or two picks, but other than Freeling, I'm more excited about some of our UDFA rookies than our draft picks.

Time will always tell, but I just don't feel like we "hit anything out of the park" this draft.

But I will say this;  DT Lee Hunter looks like Kawaan Short and plays like Chris Jenkins, if that counts for anything lol

I’m kinda of excited . And YES !! To the UDFA TOO !!

My biggest question mark is our number one pick, Freely. It shouldn’t be, since I have more faith in Dan Morgan than I ought to. But Freely , I’m guessing, will be looked at as our new LT . New left tackles are always a challenge their first year in the NFL.

I think Lee Hunter will be in the D line rotation.
I think Brazzell will have the opportunity to be the 3rd WR , who hopefully can stretch the field, and ‘catch ‘ the ball.

The rest, I hope will make the team and contribute. A Cornerback and Safety I hope beef up the D backfield.
Sam Hecht at center, I hope he has time to learn a lot this season and not be thrown to the wolf’s . I like to think he will be our future starting center and the steal of the draft.

And UDFA Hayes King ,Qb out of Ga Tech,, I’m excited. Think if he can be the third and inches QB for us . Holy Moly!! At some point he’ll run a naked bootleg for a 40 yard TD . Another Steal of the Draft !!
Aaron Hall Defensive line ,, hope he’s a beast.

Yeah, I wish it was August

It’s not just you, I feel the same way.

Is it just me or does anyone else feel sort of "Ho-Hummm" after the Draft?

Usually I'm excited about at least one or two picks, but other than Freeling, I'm more excited about some of our UDFA rookies than our draft picks.
Time will always tell, but I just don't feel like we "hit anything out of the park" this draft.
But I will say this;  DT Lee Hunter looks like Kawaan Short and plays like Chris Jenkins, if that counts for anything lol

Yeah ... I'm a little "out of sorts" about the whole thing. Disappointed really, I guess...

Overall, it wasn't a bad draft at all.  It's just that I watched some potential "difference makers" fall directly into our hands and we "passed" on them for some reason. But it's Dan's thinking/reasoning/opinion that matters. I will not complain too loudly.....

Here's what I think ... More or less.

#19 - Monroe Freeling - I think Freeling was a very good choice. I really 'wanted' an OT here so I'm happy. I actually believed that Freeling would be off the board and we would get Kaden Proctor. But Proctor went off instead leaving Freeling. So -- I was wrong and I'm still happy about it.!!

#49 - Lee Hunter - This one confused me (What's new..??). This reminded me of us trading uo a couple of spots to get XL... except there was no "silver lining" like the "5th Year Option". This trade UP (TWO (2) spots) cost us #159 for #196 (37 spots). WHY trade up two spots - Unless Dan KNEW that Hunter would be gone. ANYWAY, I suspected that we would take a D-Lineman, just not this early. I was 'hoping' for a DT maybe around 4th or 5th round. There were a couple of players that would have hit a "spot" for us. -- So I'm not terribly unhappy, just confused.

#83 - Chris Brazzell - Ho Hum - Yes, he's tall - good speed.  We'll see how he adapts to the NFL. This pick was slightly disappointing to me. He's a little taller than XL and just a smidgen faster (NOT MUCH, just a hundredth or two difference). XL is FAST too. Brazzell is pretty light, like 198-??. So he will take a lot of thrashing at his height (probably). This one didn't make a lot of sense to me. Disappointed

#129 - Will Lee - This one threw me. I figured we would take a DB (SAFETY) or maybe a CB early, like 2nd round. Not late in the 4th after a trade back. ... ??? So, we get a self-proclaimed "press man" CB, when the Panthers play Zone coverage almost exclusively..??? - And still NO Safety. ???  WTH... More disappointment.

#144 - Sam Hecht - This was a GOOD pickup. I expected an IOL about here and it worked out. Cannot complain about this one. Hecht was the second or third best Center/IOL in the draft. We needed some help on the inside and we got it.

#151 - Zakee Wheatley - Ho Hum - So we FINALLY take a Safety. Wheatley is not a particularly good tackler (misses quite a few tackles). Decent ball skills so will probably be OK in coverage although he doesn't have the speed to catch up when he gets beat.

#227 - Jackson Kuwatch - Hmmm. UNKNOWN. Kuwatch is probably a "project". He has prototypical size for a LB (6'4" - 235) and plays with heart and energy. He sees the field and flows to the ball. Unfortunately he has little experience. Walk on at Ohio State and never saw the field in two years. Had a good year in 2025 at Miami (Ohio). So with only one real year of experience -- Who knows.  I like him well enough, just unknown.


SO OVERALL --- I think Freeling, Hunter, and Hecht are solid picks and will probably help us. Brazzell MIGHT turn out OK although I'm a little worried about his height/weight ratio. Kuwatch has the 'measurables' as a LB but ...??? - who knows. We whiffed on Safety. And a questionable "press man" CB going into a zone scheme - SMH...  ---  NOW, I've already admitted that this ^^ means nothing and Dan knows EVERYTHING and I know NOTHING.

So, there's that.....

Well...I am going to be positive here.

While not a sexy draft...this one could have a big impact.

The team may have just found their LT and C for the long term.

Got some good value picks.  Dan moved around some, but at the end of the day did not give up anything.  

The players are young, still developing, smart (by their pressers) and seem highly motivated to put the work in.   They seem a good fit for the team.

Hobs, I think Brazell will be better than expected.

Hang in there guys.

Well...I am going to be positive here.

While not a sexy draft...this one could have a big impact.

The team may have just found their LT and C for the long term. -- YES - AGREED.!!

Got some good value picks.  Dan moved around some, but at the end of the day did not give up anything. -- That trade up for Hunter cost us 37 pick spots to gain 2 spots .. ???

The players are young, still developing, smart (by their pressers) and seem highly motivated to put the work in.   They seem a good fit for the team. -- AGREED

Hobs, I think Brazell will be better than expected. -- You could easily be right, LP. I hope so.!!

Hang in there guys.

I believe in Dan.  He has our best interests at heart.

2026 New Carolina Panthers
Free Agents Signed
Draft Picks
UDFA

I’m excited

Jaelan Phillips Edge
Devin Lloyd Linebacker
Kenny Pickett. Qb
Rasheed Wallace Left Tackle
Luke Fortner Center
Nick Scott Safety
Stone Forsythe Right Tackle

Monroe Freeling O Tackle
Lee Hunter. D Tackle
Chris Brazzell II WR
Will Lee III CB
Sam Hecht Center
Zakee Wheatley Safety
Jackson Kuwatch LB

Haynes King (QB, Georgia Tech)
Kobe Prentice (WR, Baylor)
Malick Meiga (WR, Coastal Carolina)
Albert Reese IV (OT, Mississippi State)
Isaia Glass (OL, Vanderbilt)
Aaron Hall (DT, Duke)
Parker Peterson (DT, Wisconsin)
Austin Hall (DT, Duke)
Isaiah Smith (EDGE, SMU)
Jaylon Guilbeau (CB, Texas)
Cam Miller (CB, Rutgers)
DeVonta Smith (CB, Notre Dame)

TWO players named Hall, both from Duke, both DTs ... ????  Are they brothers.??  Just a bit strange.... Duke is NOT an 'easy' school. Known for one of the highest retention and graduation rates in the country.  Aaron and Austin - sounds like brothers names..

Good job with this OP...

Haynes King (QB, Georgia Tech)
Kobe Prentice (WR, Baylor)
Malick Meiga (WR, Coastal Carolina)
Albert Reese IV (OT, Mississippi State)
Isaia Glass (OL, Vanderbilt)
Aaron Hall (DT, Duke)
Parker Peterson (DT, Wisconsin)
Austin Hall (DT, Duke)
Isaiah Smith (EDGE, SMU)
Jaylon Guilbeau (CB, Texas)
Cam Miller (CB, Rutgers)
DeVonta Smith (CB, Notre Dame)

For what it's worth, rumor has it that Parker Peterson picked a peck of pickled peppers..... Just saying 

TWO players named Hall, both from Duke, both DTs ... ????  Are they brothers.??  Just a bit strange.... Duke is NOT an 'easy' school. Known for one of the highest retention and graduation rates in the country.  Aaron and Austin - sounds like brothers names..

Good job with this OP...

Here’s the Panthers Morning scoop  ,, it’s Aaron Hall , not Austin . I hope he makes the team. 

 DURHAM, N.C. - Former Duke defensive tackle Aaron Hall has agreed to terms with the Carolina Panthers to join the NFL organization as an undrafted free agent. He’s 6’4” , 290 lbs .

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Haynes King (QB, Georgia Tech)
Kobe Prentice (WR, Baylor)
Malick Meiga (WR, Coastal Carolina)
Albert Reese IV (OT, Mississippi State)
Isaia Glass (OL, Vanderbilt)
Aaron Hall (DT, Duke)
Parker Peterson (DT, Wisconsin)
Austin Hall (DT, Duke)
Isaiah Smith (EDGE, SMU)
Jaylon Guilbeau (CB, Texas)
Cam Miller (CB, Rutgers)
DeVonta Smith (CB, Notre Dame)

For what it's worth, rumor has it that Parker Peterson picked a peck of pickled peppers..... Just saying   

. 
I think you’re thinking of his father , Parker Pickle Peterson 
He Doesn’t have any eligibility left