The Carolina Panthers have officially closed the book on their 2026 NFL Draft class, signing second-round pick Lee Hunter to his rookie contract. The defensive tackle from Texas Tech was the final member of the seven-player class to put pen to paper, marking a significant milestone for the team's offseason roster build.

General manager Dan Morgan made a bold move on Day 2 of the draft, trading up in the second round to secure the 6-foot-3, 318-pound nose tackle. Hunter, selected 49th overall, brings a powerful presence to the interior of the Panthers' defensive line—a unit that's already showing serious depth.

Despite being the last draftee to sign, Hunter didn't waste any time making an impression. During rookie minicamp at the practice fields behind Bank of America Stadium, he turned heads alongside third-round wide receiver Chris Brazzell II. Head coach Dave Canales praised Hunter's aggressive style after Friday's session: "When you're an interior defensive lineman, it all starts with violence. That's one thing that he kind of characterized himself as. What's your play style? Violence. And he repeatedly said violence. Just the way that he's disruptive and explosive at the line of scrimmage."

Hunter's college resume backs up that reputation. Over three seasons at Central Florida and Texas Tech, he racked up 7.5 sacks and 32 tackles for loss, earning a reputation as one of the nation's top run defenders. Now, he joins a crowded defensive line room that includes Derrick Brown, Bobby Brown III, Tershawn Wharton, LaBryan Ray, Jared Harrison-Hunte, and 2025 pick Cam Jackson, plus undrafted free agents Aaron Hall and Parker Petersen.

Second-round picks often have the most negotiating leverage under the current CBA—last year's second-rounder Nic Scourton didn't sign until mid-July. But Hunter opted to get the business done early, clearing the way to focus on football. As OTAs approach, Bobby Brown is expected to lead the competition to start alongside Derrick Brown, but Hunter's violent, disruptive playstyle could shake things up quickly.

For Panthers fans, this signing marks the final piece of a draft class that could reshape the team's defensive identity. And with Hunter's relentless motor, the interior of that line just got a whole lot more interesting.