The Carolina Panthers finished a disappointing season with a glimmer of hope. Despite major investments into the offense last offseason, more work must be done. The rebuild continues.

A major part of the process will be the 2025 NFL Draft. With quarterback Bryce Young playing better as this season has progressed, the Panthers can confidently address other needs across its roster. The defense is particularly needing help.

Our latest 7-round 2025 NFL mock draft for the Panthers aims to improve the roster so Young can flourish.

Carolina Panthers 7-Round 2025 NFL Mock Draft

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Round 1, No. 8: James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

The quickest way for Carolina to build a top-tier defense is to add high-end pass-rushers. James Pearce Jr. has been a bit of a forgotten man in mock drafts for invalid reasons. The speedy, bendy threat racked up 55 quarterback pressures and eight sacks for Tennessee, proving even more effective than his breakout sophomore season in 2023.

Pearce's burst and closing ability is unmatched in this class. With Carolina lacking any viable young talented at the position, Pearce can be the new face of a unit that made some growth at other spots throughout last season.

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Round 2, No. 52: Nick Emmanwori, SAF, South Carolina

I love huge safeties who can hold their own in coverage, so making the call on Nick Emmanwori was an easy one. The 6-foot-3 defensive back posted elite tackling and coverage grades in his junior season, proving to be as dangerous near the line of scrimmage as he is in space. That's a rare combination.

Neither of Carolina's safeties played well enough to lock in their starting gigs in 2025 and beyond. Emmanwori represents a more explosive and versatile presence for the back-end. The coaching staff will love a weapon who finished over 90% of tackling attempts and allowed just a 35.6 passer rating against him in 2024.

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Round 3, No. 67: Alfred Collins, DL, Texas

We stay on the defensive side of the ball as the receiving talent available isn't tempting enough. Alfred Collins can play next to Derrick Brown as an intimidating 6-foot-5, 320-pounder who impacts a unit on all three downs. Collins took a leap in his senior season this fall, becoming a terrific run-stopper from the nose and 1-technique.

Pairing Collins with Brown doesn't mean it's two run-dominant options, though. Collins was primarily a pass-rusher before 2024, so he's comfortable creating an interior push. 

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Round 4, No. 110: Jalen Royals, WR, Utah State

Carolina would be best served to spend some money to revitalize its receiving corps in free agency, so I waited to find a good fit. Jalen Royals is dynamic at 6 feet, but his season-ending injury and some off-field concerns make him fall a little further than what is being projected elsewhere. That's okay, as this is the range where you'll roll the dice a tad.

Royals is versatile as a slot and outside receiver and creates chunk plays with his ability to create after the catch. Averaging almost eight yards after the catch and one of the best catch rates in the nation, he's a candidate to replace Adam Thielen.

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Round 4, No. 113: Seth McLaughlin, OC, Ohio State

Austin Corbett is…fine, but nothing special. Ohio State's Seth McLaughlin was one of the best centers in the nation in two of the last three years. A dominant pass-blocker and good mover in the run game, McLaughlin can supercharge a position that's been weak for too long in Carolina. Every player around McLaughlin will benefit once he's back from a torn ACL.

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Round 5, No. 139: Cobee Bryant, CB, Kansas

One of my favorite defenders in the class, Cobee Bryant, put together a tremendous senior campaign. I don't expect to see him last this long come April, and he's closer to the top 100 on my board. The long but lanky corner is one of the nation's best off-man and zone defenders.

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Round 5, No. 145: Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA

An under-the-radar defender who will rise throughout the all-star circuit and scouting combine, Carson Schwesinger is the exact type of player Carolina should take a chance on. The athletic weak-side linebacker is a solid tackler and pass-rusher with only one real season of experience. Allowing him to grow into his frame and get snaps could pay off in a big way.

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Round 5, No. 162: Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa 

Taking a flier on an athletic tight end who had a down year in 2024 as he recovered from a torn ACL isn't the worst plan. The Panthers have a few good young bodies at the position, but allowing Lachey to take 2025 to get back to form and into NFL shape at a position that develops slowly could pay off in 2026. At his peak, Lachey was a very good blocker and dynamic pass-catcher in 2022 and 2023.

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Round 7, No. 227: Khordae Sydnor, EDGE, Vanderbilt

A 6-foot-4, 266-pound pass-rush specialist, Khordae Sydnor, is another body to bring in and give a try. Playing only 1,004 snaps over his career,  Sydnor is abnormally good at getting into the backfield. His biggest issue is finishing tackles, as his ghoulish 29% missed tackle rate confirms. But for one of the last picks in a weak class, he's a fine addition to give a try.