Panthers 2025 NFL draft needs, picks, best fits, history

Panthers general manager Dan Morgan would do backflips for a shot at drafting Penn State edge Abdul Carter, but to hear him tell it this week, Carolina is out of the business of trading up for talent.

Morgan's most pressing roster weakness is the pass rush, but with Derrick Brown returning from a season-ending injury and reinforcements added in free agency -- Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III -- Carolina can attack the outside linebacker and defensive end spots.

With Carter expected to be off the board in the top three, the Panthers can gear up for one of Georgia's edge players or take a look at the best offensive playmakers available.

Depending on how the board falls in front of Morgan, he's publicly declared the No. 8 pick is available for the right price.

Should Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty or one of the prospects the Panthers rate 1-5 on their board make it through the first seven picks without hearing their name called, Carolina can't risk the missed opportunity of a blue-chip player.

--Team needs

Edge: Signing Pat Jones (Vikings) in free agency only slightly diminishes Carolina's desperation at the position. Jadeveon Clowney, 32, has reached the stage in his career where he would be best in a rotation. Georgia's Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker are priority prospects who've had visits with the Panthers. Williams is 20 pounds shy of Julius Peppers but the 20-year-old is still imposing at 6-5, 260 and only beginning to realize his immense potential.

Wide receiver: We aren't connecting the dots on Morgan's assertion the Panthers are good to go at wideout given Adam Thielen's age (34) and injury history and Xavier Legette still has a lot to prove. From past coaching stints with the Seahawks and Buccaneers, Panthers head coach Dave Canales grasps the benefits of surrounding a quarterback with three or more talented pass catchers.

--Best prospect fits

OLB Mykel Williams, Georgia

OLB Jalon Walker, Georgia

TE Tyler Warren, Penn State

OLB James Pearce, Tennessee

OLB Mike Green, Marshall

OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston College

OLB Nic Scourton, Texas A&M

WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona

WR Matthew Golden, Texas

WR Tre Harris, Ole Miss

--2025 draft picks by round

Total picks:

By round (pick in round, overall pick)

1: 8, 8

2: 25, 57 (from Los Angeles Rams)

3: 10, 74

4: 9, 111

4: 12, 114 (from Dallas Cowboys)

5: 2, 140 (from NY Giants)

5: 8, 146

5: 25, 163 (from Baltimore Ravens)

7: 14, 230 (from Arizona Cardinals)

--History Lesson

--Carolina selected No. 8 in 2021 and drafted South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn. In 2017, the Panthers picked Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey eighth.

--Field Level Media