Panthers Acquire No. 49 From Vikings, Draft DT Lee Hunter
The Panthers are moving up two spots in Round 2, snaring No. 39 from the Vikings. Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter is Charlotte-bound as a result. Minnesota will collect Nos. 51 and 159 from Carolina in exchange for Nos. 49 and 196, NFL.com’s Mike Garafolo tweets.
Hunter put himself on draft boards early in his collegiate career at UCF. After making an immediate impact at a position that often requires some development as a true freshman, Hunter took on a starting role as a sophomore for the Knights. He exploded onto the scene in Orlando, posting career highs in total tackles (69), sacks (3.0), and tackles for loss (11.0). After producing another sack and 9.5 tackles for loss in his junior year, Hunter opted to transfer to Lubbock, to take on a starting role on what would become one of the nation’s best defensive lines.
Hunter continued to produce for the Red Raiders, notching 2.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. Though he found success in his pass rushing opportunities at Tech, that likely won’t be where Hunter excels at the NFL level. He profiles as an elite run stopper. The 320-pound lineman carries his weight with a surprising ease and fluidity. Strong arms make his immovable frame that much more imposing against offensive lines that often attempt double teams to no avail. He’ll need some technique work at the next level but immediately becomes a go-to in must stop running downs for the Panthers defense.
Carolina has struggled to find consistent talent with which to surround star defensive tackle Derrick Brown, as he’s been a lone star on the defensive line for years. Hunter may not be an every down contributor, but he has a strong chance at being a huge asset for the Panthers early and often in his rookie year.
Texas Tech DT Lee Hunter Visits Buccaneers, Bengals, Bills
Teams looking to improve their run defense will likely be interested in Texas Tech defensive tackle Lee Hunter, who is a projected Day 2 pick in this month’s draft. The 330-pounder logged 31 tackles for loss across the last three seasons and profiles as an instant-impact run-stuffer in the NFL.
One of Hunter’s recent Instagram stories showed him visiting the Buccaneers (via FOX Sports’ Greg Auman). Tampa Bay does not have an immediate need along the defensive line after signing A’Shawn Robinson and Rakeem Nunez-Roches to replace Logan Hall and Greg Gaines. However, those additions are both on one-year contracts, and both Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey are set to hit free agency in 2027. With long-term extensions on tap for Baker Mayfield and YaYa Diaby, the team will not be able to re-sign all four of their veteran defensive tackles. Hunter would be ready to join the Buccaneers’ defensive line rotation right away as a run-stopper with the goal of developing his pass rushing chops for a bigger role in 2027.
Hunter also completed a visit to the Bengals, per Ryan Fowler of Commanding the Huddle. Cincinnati had the league’s worst run defense in 2025, allowing 5.2 yards per carry and almost 150 yards per game. The team strengthened their defensive line by signing Jonathan Allen, but Hunter would be a long-term anchor for a unit that has lacked a reliable run-stopping nose tackle since D.J. Reader‘s departure in 2024. He may not have much pass-rushing upside, but his size and power will command double-teams and open up opportunities for his teammates.
Hunter’s most recent visit was to the Bills, according to an Instagram story posted on Monday. Buffalo finished with a bottom-five run defense last year and will need to add depth at nose tackle under new defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard. Sean McDermott‘s 4-3 scheme prioritized lighter, more athletic defensive tackles, but Leonard’s 3-4 will require another massive space-eater to go along with 2025 fourth-rounder Deone Walker.
CB Mansoor Delane To Visit Cowboys
The Cowboys have made several moves in their secondary so far in 2026. Further changes brought on by the draft would come as no surprise. 
Dallas is looking into the top cornerback prospect in this year’s class. Mansoor Delane is set to take part in a top 30 visit today, Nick Harris of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports. The LSU product figures to be busy meeting with a long list of interested teams in the lead-up to the draft.
Delane is among the players widely seen as a lock to be selected in the first round of April’s draft. After three years at Virginia Tech, his lone campaign with the Tigers was a strong one. Delane collected a career-high 11 pass deflections along with two interceptions and 45 tackles. He earned first-team All-American honors and solidified his status as one of the most coveted prospects in this year’s class.
The Cowboys’ secondary has seen plenty of turnover in the last few months. It started during the season with the release of Trevon Diggs, and the team let safeties Donovan Wilson and Juanyeh Thomas hit free agency. Jalen Thompson and P.J. Locke have come in to replace them on the back end, while former Rams Cobie Durant and Derion Kendrick add depth at corner.
In addition to Delane, the Cowboys hosted Miami cornerback Keionte Scott for a visit, suggesting that they will be targeting a cornerback with a premium pick next month.
The Cowboys also met with defensive tackle Lee Hunter at Texas Tech’s pro day, per KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson. The massive run stuffer amassed 32.0 sacks over the last three years and flashed some upgraded pass rushing chops in 2025, boosting his stock firmly into Day 2.
Nikhil Mehta contributed to this story.