How athletic are the Panthers' 2026 draft picks? Spider graphs, RAS, player comps for the class

[ASFN Admin]

The Carolina Panthers' 2026 NFL Draft class is already being heralded as one of this year's very best. General manager Dan Morgan and company seemingly hit on a number of win-wins, picking up considerable value while addressing some of their roster's biggest needs.

But how do the seven picks measure up—physically and athletically?

Let's take a look at the class' Relative Athletic Scores (RAS), spider graphs and player comparisons . . .

First round (No. 19): Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia​

Monroe Freeling was drafted in round 1 with pick 19 in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 9.99 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 2 out of 1645 OT from 1987 to 2026.https://t.co/EmUzHhKn1Ppic.twitter.com/PupJtgYrxR

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) April 24, 2026

Player comparisons (per MockDraftable): Broderick Jones (2023), Tommy Doyle (2021), Tyler Guyton (2024), Jack Conklin (2016), Joe Thomas (2007)

Second round (No. 49): Lee Hunter, DL, Texas Tech​

New #Panthers DT Lee Hunter is a nose tackle, so the poor overall score isn't a concern.

He hit 1 for 3 for baselines with an average or better 10 split, but very slightly under weight (>320) and poor broad.

He went 0 for 2 for the nice to haves: No cone and no bench. pic.twitter.com/wEjnzpCO5n

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) April 26, 2026

Player comparisons (per MockDraftable): Kelcy Quarles (2014), Johnathan Hankins (2013), Tim Settle (2018), DeMario Pressley (2008), McKinnley Jackson (2024)

Third round (No. 83): Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee​

Chris Brazzell II was drafted in round 3 with pick 83 in the 2026 draft class. He does not qualify for a #RAS due to a lack of measurements.https://t.co/pQZjKM7c0mpic.twitter.com/ZoEEYeiNiH

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) April 25, 2026

Player comparisons (per MockDraftable): Beaux Collins (2025), Marvin Harrison (2024), Elijhah Badger (2025), KeAndre Lambert-Smith (2025), Dont'e Thornton Jr. (2025)

Fourth round (No. 129): Will Lee III, CB, Texas A&M​

Will Lee III was drafted in round 4 with pick 129 in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 9.39 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 189 out of 3075 CB from 1987 to 2026.https://t.co/q2DBf8xWrZpic.twitter.com/WnDoinD4HT

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) April 25, 2026

Player comparisons (per MockDraftable): Elijah Jones (20240, Marcellas Dial (2024), Marcus Maxey (2006), Will Blackmon (2006), Jerome Murphy (2010)

Fifth round (No. 144): Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State​

Sam Hecht was drafted in round 5 with pick 144 in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 7.76 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 166 out of 735 OC from 1987 to 2026.https://t.co/CDIEJCV7kCpic.twitter.com/dxRDOKZFjy

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) April 25, 2026

Player comparisons (per MockDraftable): Matt Gulbin (2026), Michal Menet (2021), Sedrick Van Pran-Granger (2024), Greg Mancz (2015), Pat Ross (2006)

Fifth round (No. 151): Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State​

Zakee Wheatley was drafted in round 5 with pick 151 in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 7.68 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 305 out of 1313 FS from 1987 to 2026.https://t.co/J4YkHNa7oxpic.twitter.com/d55bz77wTD

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) April 25, 2026

Player comparisons (per MockDraftable): Matt Ware (2004), Nikia Codie (1999), Thomas DeCoud (2008), Brad Ware (1999), Deon Grant (2000)

Seventh round (No. 227): Jackson Kuwatch, LB, Miami (Ohio)​

Jackson Kuwatch was drafted in round 7 with pick 227 in the 2026 draft class. He scored a 8.86 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 397 out of 3480 LB from 1987 to 2026.https://t.co/dEDbuyuCUppic.twitter.com/4RH5puZHZc

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) April 25, 2026

Spider graph not available (Did not participate at combine)

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Spider graphs, RAS, comps for Panthers' picks

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