Carolina Panthers general manager Dan Morgan couldn’t believe that Tennessee wide receiver Chris Brazzell fell to his spot in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
In a behind-the-scenes video posted by the team, the Panthers shared an inside look at Morgan’s iconic reaction to the move: “Did we just get Chris Brazzell in the third round? What the f***?”
In the Carolina Panthers’ Draft Blueprint mini-documentary on YouTube, the video shows a tense scene as the team executives and scouts waited patiently to see if Brazzell would be taken before their 83rd overall pick. When the Minnesota Vikings selected an Iowa State defensive tackle the pick before, the Panthers’ room exploded with cheers.
“To watch him come to us in the third round was a dream for me,” Morgan said.
A total steal
🚨 New Blueprint episode TONIGHT
Watch the trailer now: https://t.co/U2mKdBTVQs pic.twitter.com/Q6yWgGPQTk
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) June 2, 2026
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The Panthers had done their homework on Brazzell and were highly invested in the possibility of drafting him. Fortunately for Carolina, Brazzell was equally interested in the idea of playing for the Panthers. He told the organization that the Panthers were his favorite team growing up on the draft-day phone call.
Brazzell is now going through summer activities with the Panthers, and there have been optimistic reports online coming out of training camp. He’s also flashed some impressive highlights in his new blue-and-black threads.
One Tuesday, Carolina reporter Gabe McDonald showed off a video of Brazzell taking in some advice from legendary NFL wide receiver Steve Smith.
#Panthers legend Steve Smith Sr. with some post-practice advice for rookie WR Chris Brazzell II.@CSLonQCN #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/BUuZGw8Pg5
— Gabe McDonald (@GabeMcDonald_) June 9, 2026
Former Alabama Crimson Tide player and current Panthers quarterback Bryce Young shed some praise for the Tennessee rookie on Tuesday, too.
“You would’ve thought he’d been in a pro-style system throughout his whole life,” Young said, via Sleeper Panthers on X. “He’s coming in, understanding splits. Understanding landmarks. Understanding route timing, route tempo, where to be at the right time. He’s playing with extension. I’ve been super impressed with the professionalism, the ability to learn stuff, the ability for everything to translate.”
Brazzell played his first two seasons at Tulane before transferring to Tennessee ahead of the 2024 season. He only produced 333 yards and two touchdowns during his first season in Knoxville, but then broke out as one of the SEC’s best pass-catchers in 2025. With Joey Aguilar as the Vols’ quarterback, Brazzell racked up 1,017 yards and nine touchdowns on 62 receptions. He had the second-most receiving yards in the SEC last season.
Brazzell didn’t just produce against lower-tier competition, either. His best game of the season came against No. 6 Georgia, when he recorded 177 yards and three touchdowns on six catches. He also posted 125 yards against ETSU, 138 yards against Kentucky, and 105 yards against Mississippi State.
