The Carolina Panthers took a few steps back to begin Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Originally slated to pick from the 119th overall spot, the Panthers moved back to the 124th position in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Their fourth-round swap also included the addition of a fifth-rounder (No. 166) in exchange for a sixth (No. 196).

Then, they used that very haul to move back five more slots—in a deal with the Chicago Bears. Carolina received Picks No. 129 and 144 for No. 124 and No. 166.

And with that 129th selection, the Panthers have grabbed Texas A&M cornerback Will Lee III.

Lee—6-foot-1 and 189 pounds—split his five-year collegiate career between Iowa Western Community College (2021 to 2022) and Kansas State (2023) before transferring to College Station in 2024. He was a second-team All-SEC selection that season, where he amassed 42 combined tackles and a pair of interceptions.

Following their trades with the Jaguars and Bears, the Panthers currently have three picks remaining in the 2026 draft—No. 144 (fifth round), No. 158 (fifth round) and No. 200 (sixth round).

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: 2026 NFL Draft: Panthers select CB Will Lee III with 129th pick