NFL Draft 2026: Panthers look to build on NFC South title; where NC college players landed

After winning the NFC South, getting their paws dirty in the NFL playoffs for the first time in seven years, the Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan went big in the 2026 draft.

The Panthers used their first two picks on mammoth linemen who tip the scales at a combined 638 pounds, then added a 6-foot-4 receiver who can stretch the field to beef up the defending NFC South champions' roster.

Morgan, who took wide receivers in the first round the previous two years, selected 6-7, 315-pound offensive tackle Monroe Freeling from Georgia at No. 19 overall, giving the Panthers more options at a position with some question marks.

Freeling could start right away at left tackle with Ickey Ekwonu, the team's No. 6 overall pick in 2022, likely to miss a portion of the season after suffering a torn patellar tendon in Carolina's 31-28 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round of the playoffs.

Morgan said the players drafted in later rounds will likely need to carve out a niche on special teams to make the 53-man roster.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Still looking to capitalize on their 2025 playoff appearance, Panthers owner Dan Morgan traded down twice on Saturday before he eventually selected Texas A&M cornerback Will Lee III late in the fourth round.

Those moves allowed Carolina to pick up two extra late-round picks.

The Panthers closed out the draft by checking off a few areas of need, adding Kansas State center Sam Hecht and Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley in the fifth round. Morgan, who played linebacker at Miami before being drafted by Carolina, closed out the draft by taking Hurricanes linebacker Jackson Kuwatch in the seventh round.

Morgan said the players drafted in later rounds will likely need to carve out a niche on special teams to make the 53-man roster.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Another Blue Devil is headed to the next level!

In the sixth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, Duke offensive lineman Brian Parker II was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Parker II was the 189th overall pick in the draft, and the eighth selection in the sixth round.

Duke cornerback Chandler Rivers was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the fifth round.