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0:592026 NFL Draft Grades: Panthers Select Lee Hunter No. 49
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9:04Biggest Questions for the NFC South After the 2026 Draft
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1:14Chance for No DTs Selected in the 1st Round
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0:48Who Will Giants Select In 2nd Round In The NFL Draft?
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0:422026 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: DT Lee Hunter
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1:31Why Texas Tech's Lee Hunter and Reggie Virgil Need Better Pro Days At Home
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1:17
AFC East Combine Prospect Best Fits: Jets
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0:58CFP Projection: Defending champion Indiana draws Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss in first round
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1:03Brad Crawford's 2026 CFP Projection: NIL Darling SMU and Texas Tech Face Off In CFP
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8:26Projecting the 2026 College Football Playoff Bracket
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1:45Lane Kiffin's LSU Recruiting Off and Running
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9:20Biggest Questions for the NFC West After the 2026 Draft
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9:45Ryan Wilson's Best & Worst 2026 NFL Draft Classes
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10:07Post-Draft Breakdown: Biggest Questions in the NFC North
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8:56Under The Radar Names For 2027 NFL Draft
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11:40Biggest Questions Facing the NFC East Post-Draft
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10:17What's Next for the AFC East After the 2026 Draft?
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9:40Brendan Sorsby Checks Into Residential Treatment Center For Gambling Addiction
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1:33Breaking News: Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby Checks Into Treatment Center For Gambling Addiction
Draft Scouting Report
Pro Comparison: Akiem Hicks
Summary
Ever since Hunter broke into the starting lineup at UCF in 2023, he’s been making plays. He possesses tremendous upper-body strength to control opposing offensive linemen and shed on command. That’s the kind of skill set a lot of teams in the NFL are looking for in a modern nose tackle. When you combine the value of a nose tackle with his age at nearly 24 years old, it’s hard to see Hunter sneaking into the first round. Wherever he’s drafted, though, someone is getting a playmaker.
About
- Two-time All-Big 12 (first team at Texas Tech in 2025; second team at UCF in 2024)
- 2023-25: 32.0 TFL over past three seasons
Strengths
- Knack for sniffing out where ball carriers are going.
- Violent shedder when single-blocked.
- Great body control to sneak past linemen into the backfield.
Weaknesses
- Double teams will displace him and he can give up ground even when single-blocked.
- Very mediocre testing athlete, with particularly poor explosive numbers.
- Older prospect; turns 24 in July.
Combine Data
- 40-yard dash: 5.18 seconds
- Vertical jump: 21.5 inches
- Broad jump: 8 feet, 4 inches
Top Lee Hunter News
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Panthers' Lee Hunter: Picked up by Panthers
The Panthers selected Hunter in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, 49th overall.
Carolina traded up to the 49th overall pick with Minnesota in order to draft Hunter (6-foot-3, 318 pounds), an indication that the team considers upgrading from incumbent nose tackle Bobby Brown. There are no questions about Hunter's size or ability to stuff the run, but his lack of explosiveness -- having posted the worst vertical of the 2026 NFL Combine (21.5 inches) -- gesture toward limitations as a pass rusher. Hunter will turn 24 years old in advance of training camp and boasts the collegiate experience to contribute right out of the gate as a rookie.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 6-4, 330 lbs |
| Birthplace: Mobile, AL |
| Age: 23 |