CHARLOTTE — The Panthers added their second offensive lineman of the draft.
They used the 144th overall pick in the fifth round on Kansas State center Sam Hecht.
Hecht, a former walk-on, started the last two years for the Wildcats and earned All-Big 12 honors last year.
He has 25 starts of experience, and has shown to be a solid technical player.
There's some potential there down the road, and an opportunity after the Panthers lost Cade Mays (Detroit) and Austin Corbett (Buffalo) in free agency.
They signed former Jaguars and Saints starter Luke Fortner in free agency, and had former Ravens practice squader Nick Samac (who was signed last year) on the roster previously.
They opened the weekend by taking tackle Monroe Freeling with the 19th overall pick in the first round.
View photos of center Sam Hecht during his years at Kansas State, drafted by Carolina in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
Kansas State offensive lineman Sam Hecht (75) prepares to snap the football while the rest of the offensive and defensive line wait for the snap during an NCAA football game against Brigham Young on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024 in Provo, Utah. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)
Kansas State offensive lineman Sam Hecht (27) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kansas State offensive lineman Sam Hecht (27) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kansas State offensive lineman Sam Hecht (27) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kansas State offensive lineman Sam Hecht (27) runs a drill at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kansas State offensive lineman Sam Hecht (27) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Kansas State offensive lineman Sam Hecht (27) runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL football scouting combine in Indianapolis, Sunday, March 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
