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2026 NFL Draft: Panthers play ping-pong with fourth-round pick, settling on physical CB Will Lee III
TL;DR
The Carolina Panthers selected Texas A&M cornerback Will Lee III with the 129th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after trading down twice. This move aims to enhance the physicality of the Panthers' secondary.
Key points
- Carolina Panthers selected Will Lee III in the 2026 NFL Draft
- Lee was picked 129th overall from Texas A&M
- Panthers traded down twice before making the selection
- Focus on improving the physicality of the secondary
- Lee recorded 40 tackles and eight passes defended in his senior season
Mentioned in this story
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2026 NFL DraftCarolina PanthersNFL DraftWill Lee III
2026 NFL Draft: Panthers play ping-pong with fourth-round pick, settling on physical CB Will Lee III originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
After moving back twice, Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan finally settled on a fourth-round selection.
Focused on improving the physicality of the Panthers' secondary, Morgan selected Texas A&M cornerback Will Lee III with the 129th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
Morgan opened Saturday with two deals, trading down from No. 119 to No. 124 to, finally, No. 129. The Panthers' draft commander executed the first Day 3 transaction with the Jacksonville Jaguars and the second with the Chicago Bears.
Known as an aggressive defensive back, Lee compiled 40 tackles and eight passes defended during his senior campaign.
With cornerbacks Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, the Panthers, who yielded 203.9 passing yards per game in 2025, enter the team's offseason training activities set at cornerback.
Lee appears to add immediate rotational depth, possibly competing with Chau Smith-Wade for time at the slot position, while working behind the two established starters.
Panthers pick Will Lee III in fourth round of NFL Draft
Q&A
Who did the Carolina Panthers select in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Carolina Panthers selected Texas A&M cornerback Will Lee III with the 129th overall pick.
Why did the Panthers trade down in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Panthers traded down to improve their draft position and ultimately selected a player to enhance the physicality of their secondary.
What were Will Lee III's stats during his senior season at Texas A&M?
During his senior season, Will Lee III compiled 40 tackles and defended eight passes.
