The 2027 NFL Draft feels like forever away, and we’re all caught up in the start of the NFL season. Regardless, it’s never too early to look ahead to the Draft. This weekly series will take a closer look at some of the prospects the Carolina Panthers could select in the 2027 iteration of the Draft. In this series, we’ll only be looking at prospects the Panthers could seriously consider. This week our profile will focus on Iowa Hawkeyes interior offensive lineman Kade Pieper
Bio
Kade Pieper (6’4”, 290
lbs.) is the stereotypical farm-boy-turned-offensive-lineman. After literally growing up on a farm in Nebraska, Pieper earned a three star rating playing both sides of the line as a senior. Just before the 2023 season, he flipped his commitment from North Dakota State to Iowa. After redshirting his freshman season, he was a backup his second year. Finally, in 2025, Pieper took over the starting job at right guard as a redshirt sophomore. He performed extremely well, allowing just one sack and ten pressures while drawing a single penalty across 13 games, earning First Team All-American honors. Iowa’s offensive line took home the Joe Moore Award as the best offensive line in the country.
Strengths/Weaknesses
Pieper is often considered one of, if not the best run blocker in the entire draft, regardless of position. On top of the dominant run blocking, he is an effective pass blocker as well (a pass block grade in the mid to high 70s from PFF). He has that “farm boy strength” and above average athleticism for an interior lineman. He was originally recruited as a tight end, so his mobility allows him to effectively hit the second level.
That mobility is largely due to his small frame. At just 290 lbs., he’s one of the lightest interior linemen in this year’s draft. This lack of size combines with his occasional habit of playing high to reduce his functional strength. Pieper will need to work on leverage while fine tuning his pass blocking technique.
Projection
Pieper is an exceptional athlete with good strength. Interior linemen often fall down draft boards due to positional importance, but Pieper is one that could sneak into the end of the first round. He’ll definitely be a Day 2 pick at the absolute lowest. The Panthers have a ton of cap space invested in the interior of the offensive line, and their starters at guard are expensive and getting old. Though Robert Hunt, the older of the two, only turned 30 last month, the Panthers have seen how important depth at the position has been the last several seasons. Hunt could even be a cap casualty next season, with the team potentially saving $13 million while suffering $10 million in dead cap. If the Panthers truly want to run the football and protect Bryce Young long term, they’ll need to start investing in the interior of the offensive line with higher draft picks instead of just money.
What do you think, Panthers fans? If Kade Pieper is available when the Panthers select in the 2027 NFL Draft, should they take him? Sound off in the comments!
