Will Lee III NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Carolina Panthers CB

The Carolina Panthers selected Texas A&M CB Will Lee III with the No. 129 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

Will Lee has the man-coverage tools and techniques to be a true shutdown corner in the NFL.

His long, athletic frame is a tremendous asset when mirroring receivers on the outside while running their routes for them. Then, he uses his length and eyes to attack the catch point with well-timed strikes to break up catches while driving on break points.

The 6'1", 189-pound corner is a former 3-star JUCO prospect and 4-star transfer from Kansas State to Texas A&M, and continued to show collegiate offenses that he's a ballhawk and that he should be challenged at their own risk.

Dan has covered the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL Draft since 2019 while contributing for RGR Football. Most recently, he spent the 2025 draft cycle at The Draft Network and is entering his first season in our scouting department.

Highlights

Will Lee III Highlights

00:56

Scroll down for the full scouting report.

Where He Wins

Jack Gorman/Getty Images

— Lee is a premier man coverage corner with the size, speed, and length to transition seamlessly to the next level. He's patient in press coverage and uses his impressive short-area twitch to turn and run.

— Mirroring receiver movements to run routes with and for them is where he excels. Reading intention, sinking his hips to decelerate, and closing the gap allow him to stay attached.

— He tracks the football well in the air and looks to get his head around down the field. When driving on throws, his length is an asset to break up potential catches by attacking the catch point.

—When pursuing the ball carrier, he flashes the ability to deliver technical, big hits at speed. Closes on targeted receivers quick and wraps up to limit yards after the catch.

Areas of Improvement

Michael Reaves/Getty Images

— In zone, Lee's eyes wander leading to open receivers underneath due to not recognizing route combinations. His instincts come into question in off coverage with hesitant play.

— He tends to get grabby in man when he's late to turn and run and gets stacked vertically. Tugging on receivers could lead to more penalties in the NFL.

— There's far too many instances of avoiding coming downhill in the run game, taking a poor angle to a ball carrier with speed, and out leveraging himself to make a tackle on the running back.

Grade, Rank and Pro Comparison

Adam Davis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

GRADE: 6.9 (Role Player/Part-Time Contributor — Fourth Round)

COMPARABLE GRADE: CB Jermari Harris, Iowa (6.9 in 2025), CB Mike Sainristil, Michigan (6.9 in 2024), CB Rejzohn Wright, Oregon State (6.9 in 2023)

OVERALL RANK: 126

POSITION RANK: CB19

PRO COMPARISON: Carrington Valentine

Measurables and Testing Data

Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

Height: 6'1 ½"
Weight: 189
Hand Size: 9"
Arm Length: 32 ¾"
Wingspan: N/A

40-yard dash: 4.54
10-yard split: 1.56
Vertical: 42"
Broad: 11"
3 cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Bench: N/A