Will Lee III, the Carolina Panthers’ fourth-round pick from this year’s 2026 draft, just got named to ESPN’s NFL All-Backup team going into the season, and honestly, for a rookie, that’s a wild way to kick things off. Bill Barnwell at ESPN is already pointing out a new weapon in that Panthers secondary, giving a serious nod to a guy who hasn’t even played a single coverage snap at the pro level yet.
This Rookie’s Frame and Trash Talk Are Turning Heads
The Panthers have put together a seriously deep cornerback room, outside of their offensive line, it’s arguably one of their strongest position groups. Jaycee Horn is absolutely leading that unit, a two-time Pro Bowler already since being selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Then you’ve got the emergent Mike Jackson holding things down on the outside, with 2024 fifth-round pick Chau Smith-Wade and the ascending Corey Thornton handling the inside duties. And now, you’ve gotta factor in Lee III to that already stacked mix. Barnwell is seriously hyped about Lee’s 6-2 frame and impressive 89th percentile arm length, specifically calling out his potential to physically compete at the line of scrimmage. But get this for personality: the dude actually sent an opposing receiver a *blanket* before a game against Missouri back in 2024! Barnwell specifically points out that “Team Backup appreciates some trash-talking,” and yeah, we totally get why. This guy isn’t just a physical specimen, he comes with an attitude, too.
Raw Talent or Just Talk? The Numbers Are Confusing
So, while the trash talk is already legendary and the physical tools are undeniably there, we really have no idea yet how good or bad Lee’s actually going to be in the NFL. Barnwell is clear: he hasn’t played a single coverage snap at this level. That said, Lee does come with the requisite length and athleticism to play the boundary really well, and his ball skills are solid, having totaled four interceptions and 24 pass breakups across 36 career college games. That’s a pretty decent college resume, no doubt about it. But here’s the kicker that makes you scratch your head: Pro Football Focus wasn’t exactly blown away by what they saw last season. Lee earned a 66.5 overall grade in 2025, which, honestly, ranked him 514th out of 896 qualifying cornerbacks. His coverage grade was only a slightly better 68.5, and his run defense was seriously lacking, coming in at a 52.6. Ouch. Look, PFF’s grades are subjective, though, and Lee’s game is absolutely still growing. With the right coaching, and some time, he should eventually be able to function as a passable backup for Horn and Jackson on the outside if either one gets injured.
It’s super early days for Will Lee III, but getting recognized by ESPN before you even take an NFL snap says something, even if it is for the “All-Backup” squad. This kid has the physical tools and the bravado, and that’s a combination that always gets people talking and watching. He’s got some real development ahead of him, but you gotta keep an eye on a guy who brings both the raw talent and the smack talk to the field. He could become a really important depth piece for that Panthers secondary as the season unfolds, especially with that deep CB room.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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