Round 5: The Carolina Panthers select C Sam Hecht (Kansas State)

[rodeo]

 

[chknwing]

LFG!

[HPPantherzfan]

Love it!

[App Panther]

Great value

[tukafan21]

Did we just land our starting Center in the 5th?!?!

This will be a home run pick if he ends up as that, freaking love it 

[WUnderhill]

We drafted a center? Truly a historic day.

[blueandblackattack]

This was my #1 Center so im jacked right now!!

[WestPanthers]

[TheSpecialJuan]

https://x.com/1pantherplace/status/2048104485516390712?s=46&t=xeIgh_-Vr2aKxBkBJdfnKA

[Panthera onca]

Unbelievable! We drafted a center!

[ClawOn]

BOOM!

[TheSpecialJuan]

https://x.com/panthersanalyst/status/2048104987969093908?s=46&t=xeIgh_-Vr2aKxBkBJdfnKA

[frankw]

[Captain Morgan]

Sam Hecht first joined the Kansas State Wildcats as a preferred walk-on in 2021, then grew to become a two-year starter and a potential early-round 2026 NFL Draft prospect at center. At a lean 6'4", 300 pounds, Hecht doesn't have domineering size or power, but instead wins with hyper-elite athleticism, positioning, and flexibility. In the run game, Hecht has the fleet-footed, explosive range to effortlessly traverse gaps and reach landmarks, and he has the hip flexibility to flip around and seal while keeping control.

Meanwhile, in pass protection, Hecht is balanced, well-leveraged, patient, and synergetic, with the ability to play square and keep positioning, as well as pick up stunts. His hand strength is below-average, and he can be outreached by longer defenders, but he compensates with quality leverage game and effective anchor footwork. Hecht projects best in zone schemes where he can operate on the move and out in space, but he has the angle IQ, intelligence, and athleticism to fulfill different roles, and he has impact starter upside if he can up his play strength.