The Carolina Panthers came away from the 2026 NFL Draft with a receiver who could solve a specific problem. Third-round pick Chris Brazzell II, a 6-foot-4 wideout out of Tennessee, brings game-changing speed and a track record of making contested catches on deep throws — an element the Panthers' offense has been missing.
Carolina has invested heavily in the position in recent drafts. Xavier Legette went in the first round in 2024. Tetairoa McMillan followed in the first round in 2025. This year the team waited until the third before taking Brazzell, but the fit makes sense beyond draft positioning.
The specific need traces back to Adam Thielen, who retired and was subsequently traded to the Minnesota Vikings this offseason. Thielen and quarterback Bryce Young had developed one of the better deep-ball connections in the NFL late in 2024. McMillan is expected to be the focal point of the passing game, but deep shooting is not his primary strength. That is where Brazzell slots in.
Joe Person of The Athletic described Brazzell as having "game-changing speed and a knack for coming down with the ball on deep throws," calling it "an element the offense has lacked." The raw speed — he can run a true nine route — combined with his size makes him a legitimate vertical threat from the moment he arrives at camp.
There are caveats. Brazzell is a raw route runner who will need time adjusting to the more complex coverages and schemes he will encounter at the NFL level. At the outset, he projects fourth on the depth chart behind McMillan, Jalen Coker, and Legette.
That depth chart standing could shift. Legette, a former first-round pick, has continued to struggle with consistency, and if that pattern holds into the regular season, Brazzell's physical tools give him a realistic path to a more prominent role earlier than expected.
Young, for his part, is considered one of the better deep-ball passers in the league. If Brazzell can establish timing with him during training camp and the preseason, he may carve out a defined role as a rookie rather than waiting for development to run its course.
