It is officially draft month!
Since December I have been looking ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft and who the Carolina Panthers may select with their first-round pick – eighth overall.
As the time has crept closer, my last two articles were about exactly that. As I expect, the Panthers are likely to use that pick on a defensive player. Most likely an edge rusher, or perhaps a top defensive tackle like Mason Graham or a cornerback if the right player is available.
But what about the other needs? Who will the Panthers be looking at on Days 2 and 3 of the draft? Let us have a look.
What picks are left?
On Day 2 of the draft, the Panthers currently hold the 57th overall pick in the second round, acquired via trade with the Los Angeles Rams during last year’s draft.
The Panthers’ own second-rounder was sent to Chicago in 2023, in the trade that saw them climb up to first overall to select Bryce Young. They also have their own third-rounder, pick 74.
On Day 3, they have two fourth-round picks – 111th overall and the Dallas Cowboys’ pick 114 via the trade for Jonathon Mingo.
They also have three fifth rounders. The New York Giants’ pick at 140, their own at 146 and the Baltimore Ravens’ 163rd pick.
The Panthers currently have no sixth-round pick, but do hold the Arizona Cardinals’ seventh-round pick, number 230 from the trade for Robbie Anderson.
What do the Panthers need?
If the pick at eight is indeed an edge rusher, that puts defensive tackle and cornerback right up there along with the biggest Day 2 needs.
A top tier wide receiver also needs added at some point as well as a tight end to help Bryce Young and the offense.
The Panthers are extremely shallow at safety right now, and a replacement for veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson may be needed at some point too.
The full offensive line room is coming back in 2025. In previous years this group has struggled massively, but in 2024 major upgrades were made, and even through injury, back-ups stepped up and filled in very well. It is great to have them all back.
This may be the least needy position group – for once – but looking towards the future could not hurt. There is uncertainty around the center position again, and with the age and contact size of longtime starting right tackle Taylor Moton, an eventual replacement could be looked at.
Below, I have listed my favourite players for the Panthers to look out for on the final two days of the draft, in order of importance by position group.
Day 2
Round 2 (Pick 57), Round 3 (Pick 74)
EDGE – J.T. Tuimoloau (OSU), Jack Sawyer (OSU), Princely Umanmielen (MISS)
DL – Darius Alexander (TOL), Alfred Collins (TEX), T.J. Sanders (SC)
CB – Benjamin Morrison (ND), Darien Porter (ISU)
WR – Jayden Higgins (ISU), Elic Ayomanor (STAN), Tre Harris (MISS), Jack Bech (TCU), Isaiah Bond (TEX)
TE – Mason Taylor (LSU), Elijah Arroyo (MIA), Harold Fannin Jr. (BGSU)
LB – Carson Schwesinger (UCLA), Demetrius Knight Jr. (SC)
Day 3
Round 4 (Picks 111 & 114), Round 5 (Picks 140, 146 & 163), Round 7 (Pick 230)
DL – Omarr Norman-Lott (TENN), Deone Walker (UK), Shemar Turner (TAMU), Jordan Phillips (UMD), Ty Robinson (NEB), Jamaree Caldwell (ORE), Tonka Hemingway (SC), Nakir Stackhouse (UGA)
CB – Cobee Bryant (KU), Zy Alexander (LSU), Jabbar Muhammad (ORE), O’Donnell Fortune (SC), Jason Marshall Jr. (UF)
WR – Jaylin Noel (ISU), Jalen Royals (USU), Xavier Restrepo (MIA), Tez Johnson (ORE)
S – Andrew Mukuba (TEX), Lathan Ransom (OSU), Billy Bowman (OU), Jonas Sanker (UVA), Sebastian Castro (IOWA), Jaylen Reed (PSU), Malachi Moore (ALA)
TE – Gunnar Helm (TEX), Terrance Ferguson (ORE), Mitchell Evans (ND), Jake Bringingstool (CLEM), Luke Lachey (IOWA)
LB – Chris Paul Jr. (MISS), Smael Mondon Jr. (UGA), Danny Stutsman (OU), Jack Kiser (ND), Jay Higgins (IOWA), Kobe King (PSU)
OL – Jared Wilson (UGA), Ajani Cornelius (ORE), Willie Lampkin (UNC), Jack Nelson (WIS), Jake Majors (TEX)
