Chris Brazzell II NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Carolina Panthers WR

Damian ParsonNov 9, 2025

The Carolina Panthers selected Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell II with the No. 83 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

Chris Brazzell II is a long-striding and explosive vertical matchup wide receiver prospect. He has impact potential inside the right offense.

Brazzell possesses the elite top-end speed to consistently win on vertical and downfield routes. He embodies the phrase, "If he's even, he's leaving". The combination of his long speed and long strides makes life difficult for opposing defensive backs.

Tennessee's explosive receiver is a former 3-star recruit in the 2022 class. He began his career at Tulane before transferring to the SEC. Brazzell has a professional pedigree in his bloodline; his father played in the NFL and CFL.

Dame Parson is the lead host of the Locked On NFL Draft podcast. He also serves as co-host of the Scouting Room NFL Podcast alongside Daniel Harms.

Highlights

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Where He Wins

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- Explosive athlete with great length. Brazzell has the height of a traditional X-receiver with field-stretching top-end speed. He will take the top off the defense and force defensive backs to play off-ball with a cushion to lessen the chances he strides past them.

- The former 3-star receiver has a solid release package against press-man coverage. He uses hard jab steps and well-timed punches/clubs to clear the defender's hands quickly. His club maneuver is effective in keeping defenders' hands off his frame mid-route.

- He is proficient in attacking leverage and different defensive alignments. The Vols' leading receiver does a good job locating and working into the defender's blind spot. He is more than a vertical threat.

- He plays with excellent body control to make difficult catches look routine. Whether on the sideline for toe-dragging receptions or highly contested targets down the field, he finds a way to reel them in. He tracks the ball with good vision and patience, never panicking when the ball arrives in contested catch situations.

- He is a tall and leggy athlete, but it does not negatively impact his route running. He creates space and separation at the break point of his routes. The threat of his speed pushes defenders upfield and into turn/run mode, opening short and intermediate routes. He drops his weight to sink at the apex of his routes on hitches, curls, and comebacks.

Areas of Improvement

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- Brazzell's overall play strength can improve. Physical defenders will make contact and disrupt his timing mid-route.

- Tennessee's WR1 must improve his timing on contested catches. He will benefit from developing late hands to avoid tipping off defenders that he is about to make a play on the football.

- He does not often drop the football, but he tends to let the ball enter his body during contested catches.

- Developing more savviness with using his frame to create space will help him against NFL cornerbacks. Right now, he initiates contact and extends his arms on the push off, opening the door to Offensive Pass Interference penalties.

- Do not expect a highly productive yard after catch receiver. He lacks the lateral agility and transitional fluidity to change directions suddenly after the catch to make defenders miss for maximum yardage.