Panthers go big in the NFL draft as they look to build on their NFC South title

Growing up in Texas as a Panthers fan

Brazzell grew up in Midland, Texas, but he said the Panthers have been his favorite team since the third grade. He didn't waste a breath rattling off the recent history of players who helped Carolina reach two Super Bowls. His fandom originated when he played quarterback for a youth team called the Greenville Panthers. “Cam Newton was my favorite player of all time,” Brazzell said. “I kind of just rolled with it. Blue is my favorite color, so I literally just rolled with the Panthers and I never looked back.” Brazzell said he was hoping the Panthers would pick him after he met with the coaching staff before the draft at Bank of America Stadium.

Hunter brings ‘violence’ to the Panthers

The Panthers heard over and over again from Hunter about how he liked to play with a “violent” nature. That resonated with Morgan and coach Dave Canales. The nose tackle's style of play is one of the reasons Carolina moved up in the second round to get him. “When you’re an interior defensive lineman, it all starts with violence,” Canales said. “That’s one thing that he kind of characterized himself. What’s your play style? Violence. And repeatedly said violence. Just the way that he’s disruptive and explosive at the line of scrimmage.”

The big man ate his twin?

One of the funnier moments during the Panthers' draft process came after Freeling's introductory news conference on Friday, which his entire family attended. Freeling stands about five inches taller than his three brothers, and that has led to family tales about how he got so big. “We like to say he had a twin in the womb, and he ate him,” joked his brother, Grayson Freeling. “That’s just what we say. Because, I mean, look at me, I’m the youngest and the shortest. I got the short end of the stick, literally. ... But no, he’s an anomaly. He’s a freak athlete. And he’s the hardest worker I know.”

Panthers stockpile picks on final day

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. \\\_ AP NFL: