The Carolina Panthers place a great deal of trust in their young players. That's especially evident in general manager Dan Morgan's 2026 draft class, with each player playing a different role as they begin their careers.
There will be ups and downs. They have already had some welcome-to-the-NFL moments, but it's all part of growing. And the Panthers know the best way for these rookies to develop is to get game-time reps and stick with them through the good times and the bad.
With the Panthers now enjoying their bye week rest, we took a look at how the rookie class has performed so far. And the results are largely promising.
Carolina Panthers rookie stock report at their 2026 bye week
Jackson Kuwatch, LB
The Panthers are taking things slowly with linebacker Jackson Kuwatch, which isn't surprising. He's a seventh-round pick with athleticism, but he is incredibly raw technically.
Kuwatch has three tackles with limited involvement in the defensive rotation. He's been much more of a factor on special teams, a role he'll likely assume throughout his rookie year while other areas of his game develop.
Verdict: Stock Neutral
Zakee Wheatley, S
The Panthers appear to have something with Zakee Wheatley. The fifth-round safety was thrown into the fire perhaps sooner than Carolina envisioned, but he's responded well to the challenge and looks more than capable of carving out a long-term role for himself.
Wheatley is fast, instinctive, and the physical side of the pros doesn't seem to bother him. The Panthers will rely more on Tre'von Moehrig and Nick Scott, but the Penn State product has flashed immense promise when called upon.
Verdict: Stock Up
Sam Hecht, C
Luke Fortner is struggling to provide the consistency needed at center. The Panthers will probably give the veteran another go-around after their bye week, but if he cannot raise his performance, it might be Sam Hecht's turn in the near future.
Hecht is patiently waiting. The Kansas State product has more athleticism than Fortner, so it is all about when the Panthers feel comfortable putting more on his plate as the schedule gets tougher.
Verdict: Stock Neutral
Will Lee III, CB
With Mike Jackson Sr. and Jaycee Horn out of the lineup, the Panthers have forced cornerback Will Lee III to grow up quickly. And after a disastrous debut in Week 1, the fourth-round pick has flourished ever since.
Lee looks like he belongs. The Texas A&M product will make mistakes, but he's sticky in coverage and tackles well. It's hard to tell when Jackson and Horn will return to the fold, so the first-year defensive back should continue in an important role until further notice.
Verdict: Stock Up
Chris Brazzell II, WR
Chris Brazzell II's ambitions to make an impact during his rookie campaign took a big-time hit with an MCL tear that required season-ending surgery. It was a body blow, especially since Carolina planned to use him alongside Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker immediately.
Brazzell's focus is on his recovery. Hopefully, he can still have a highly productive career in Carolina starting in 2027.
Verdict: Stock Neutral
Lee Hunter, DL
The Panthers have asked a lot from Lee Hunter over the early stages of the campaign. He won the starting nose tackle job after an impressive summer, and while it's not perfect yet, he is performing well in his early NFL transition.
Hunter is a stout presence to move off the block who can absorb double teams extremely well. He's flashed the ability to create pressure, and having someone like Derrick Brown to steer him on the right path is proving highly advantageous.
Verdict: Stock Up
Monroe Freeling, OT
It's been a mixed bag for Monroe Freeling so far. The Panthers were forced to switch him into the right tackle spot after Taylor Moton's health setback, and they seem willing to ride the wave that typically comes with first-year edge protectors.
Freeling is as advertised. He's athletic with the length to shine in pass protection. Adding some play strength and learning how to counter better when early leverage is lost are the next challenges, but with Moton reportedly set to return after the bye week, it'll be interesting to see what the Panthers have planned for the first-round pick out of Georgia.
Verdict: Stock Neutral
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