NFL Draft 2026: Tracking draft picks for the Panthers, college players in NC

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Last updated: Saturday, April 25, 2026 9:46PM GMT
Disappointment for NC State's Justin Joly at NFL draft watch party

DURHAM, N.C. (WTVD) -- The three-day NFL draft started Thursday in Pittsburgh. The Las Vegas Raiders, as expected, took quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who led Indiana to a national championship and won the Heisman Trophy, with the No. 1 overall pick. The Raiders signed quarterback Kirk Cousins in the offseason to serve as a mentor should they select Mendoza, which they did.

NFL Draft Tracker

Former NC State wide receiver KC Concepcion, who finished his college career at Texas A&M, was taken in the first round by the Cleveland Browns. Concepcion is from Charlotte and played at Julius Chambers High School.

Gene J. Puskar

HOW TO WATCH THE DRAFT

The second and third rounds are on Friday, beginning at 7 p.m. on ABC11.

The fourth through seventh rounds will take place Saturday, starting at noon.

All rounds will also be shown on ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN Deportes.

Check here for live updates throughout the draft

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2 hours and 59 minutes ago

Duke CB Rivers selected by Ravens in round 5

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

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3 hours and 16 minutes ago

NC State tight end Justin Joly drafted by Denver Broncos in round 5

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.

3 hours and 19 minutes ago

Panthers draft Penn State S Zakee Wheatley

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.

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3 hours and 37 minutes ago

Panthers select Kansas State center Sam Hecht with No. 144 pick

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.