NFL Draft 2026: Tracking draft picks; Panthers pick CB Will Lee III, C Sam Hecht

Pick No. 152: The Broncos are adding to their offense, selecting NC State tight end Justin Joly.

Denver traded up to make the pick, acquiring No. 152 from the Browns in exchange for 2026 fifthround (No. 170) and sixthround (No. 182) selections.

Joly was a two-year starter for the Wolfpack and led NC State in 2025 with 49 receptions and seven touchdown catches, earning first-team All-ACC honors. The 6-foot-3, 241-pound tight end began his college career at UConn, where he appeared in 24 games with 10 starts over two seasons.

Pick No. 151: The Panthers have selected Penn State safety Zakee Wheatley.

Carolina moved up to make the pick, trading its No. 158 and No. 200 selections to Miami in exchange for No. 151 and a seventh-round pick (No. 227).

Wheatley stands 6-foot-3, 203 pounds and was a two-year starter for the Nittany Lions, finishing his college career with six interceptions.

The Carolina Panthers selected Kansas State center Sam Hecht with the No. 144 pick.

Hecht becomes the second offensive lineman Carolina has taken in this draft. A former walkon, he started the last two seasons for the Wildcats, earning AllBig 12 honors last year. He brings 25 career starts and is known as a technically sound interior lineman.

With the No. 119 overall selection, Carolina drafted Texas A&M cornerback Will Lee III.

Lee stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 189 pounds. He started the past two seasons for the Aggies after transferring from Kansas State and originally began his college career at a junior college in Iowa.

As a junior, Lee recorded two interceptions and returned one for a touchdown.