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Panthers NFL Draft 2026: Carolina selects C Sam Hecht with the 144th overall pick
TL;DR
The Carolina Panthers selected center Sam Hecht with the 144th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Hecht, from Kansas State, joins a team in need of a long-term solution at center.
Key points
- Carolina Panthers selected Sam Hecht with the 144th pick
- Hecht is a center from Kansas State
- The pick was acquired from a trade with the Chicago Bears
- Hecht will compete for the starting center role
- The Panthers need a long-term solution at center
Mentioned in this story
Kansas State University
Carolina PanthersSam HechtChicago Bears
MANHATTAN, KS - SEPTEMBER 06: Center Sam Hecht #75 of the Kansas State Wildcats gets set to snap the ball against the Army Black Knights in the first half at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium on September 6, 2025 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) | Getty Images
With the 144th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft the Carolina Panthers have selected center Sam Hecht from Kansas State. They acquired the pick from an earlier trade with the Chicago Bears.
He joins an offensive line room thatās lacking a long-term answer at center and will likely immediately compete for the starting role with recent free agent Luke Fortner.
Accolades
- 2 year starter
- Did not miss any of the final 25 games of his college career
- Zero penalties in 2025
Bottom line
Hecht brings a consistent option to a room that was sorely lacking in interior offensive line depth. Not flashy, but heās able to do everything that the Panthers offense normally asks of the position without a significant weakness in playstyle.
Strengths
- Durable and plays clean; doesnāt get flagged
- Functional athleticism to operate both gap and zone schemes
- Received praise from coaches for intelligence and mindset
Weaknesses
- 13th percentile arm length
Q&A
Who did the Carolina Panthers draft in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Carolina Panthers drafted center Sam Hecht with the 144th overall pick.
What position does Sam Hecht play and which college did he attend?
Sam Hecht plays center and attended Kansas State University.
How did the Panthers acquire the 144th pick in the 2026 NFL Draft?
The Panthers acquired the 144th pick from an earlier trade with the Chicago Bears.
