Panthers selected Kansas State C Sam Hecht with the No. 144 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.

25 April 2026

Kansas State OC Sam Hecht is a technically polished interior lineman whose combination of efficiency and functional athleticism fits today’s zone-heavy NFL offenses. Hecht delivered a relatively clean 2025 campaign, posting a 78.1 PFF pass-block grade and 77.7 run-block grade, while allowing just 8 total pressures and zero sacks across the season. He fires off the ball with urgency, consistently reaching landmarks and sealing defenders with quick feet, body control and strong hand placement, traits that showed up during an impressive Senior Bowl week. Athletically, Hecht brings a solid profile with a 7.76 RAS, highlighted by a 1.73 ten-yard split and good short-area quickness, translating to effectiveness on pulls, climbs and blocks in space. His 303-pound frame and average play strength can show up against powerful nose tackles, where he can struggle to anchor against bull rushes and generate knock-back at the point of attack. With clean pass-protection production, positional intelligence and scheme versatility, Hecht projects as an eventual NFL starter in a zone-based system.