Panthers draft a guy nicknamed 'The Blanket' — Will Lee III originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The famous NBA star was known as "The Glove" thanks to his work on defense.

It was such a known nickname that his son, Gary Payton II, is known as "The Mitten."

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This is a football player, Will Lee III out of Texas A&M.

And the Carolina Panthers just drafted him 129th overall during the fourth round of Saturday's NFL Draft.

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Lee is a cornerback, so the name implies that he blankets opposing receivers. The clips they showed during the ESPN broadcast were paired with praise from former NFL defensive back Louis Riddick.

It certainly is a spot the Panthers needed some help, and it appears they've found some.

And now, there's plenty of reason to root for Lee to work out. Can you imagine the promotional blankets the Panthers could give out in honor of "The Blanket?"

Yeah, this nickname will play, as long as Lee can play.

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