Carolina Panthers must be careful to not fall for specific draft trap that could cost them landing a true difference maker
The Carolina Panthers have the opportunity to round out their roster nicely with the nine selections they have in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, there will be pressure to hit on multiple picks, especially their first one at No. 8 overall. A team like the Panthers, who are looking to post their first winning season […]
The Carolina Panthers have the opportunity to round out their roster nicely with the nine selections they have in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, there will be pressure to hit on multiple picks, especially their first one at No. 8 overall.
A team like the Panthers, who are looking to post their first winning season since 2017, needs to stock up on as much talent as possible regardless of position. That means they cannot force a pick to fill a need, which is exactly what our A to Z Sports draft expert Ian Valentino is warning Carolina against doing heading into the draft.
"The first round loses some of its excitement after the top five players are selected. Unless there’s an unexpected fall for Travis Hunter or Mason Graham, the Carolina Panthers could be the first team to miss out on the consensus top talents in this class. They have numerous needs, especially at defensive end, which allows them to select the true best player available, though the class could complicate their choices."
Although EDGE is arguably their biggest need, the Panthers have some juice in the middle of their defensive line with Derrick Brown and Tershawn Wharton. Carolina could also very much use a playmaking tight end or help within its secondary. Valentino has legitimate concerns about the edge rushers in this year's class.
"The edge rusher class is filled with high-potential athletes who, while intriguing, haven’t proven to be dominant. Even Carter has exceptional film but doesn’t possess ideal measurements. Players like Jalon Walker, James Pearce Jr., and Mike Green have impressive strengths, but there are enough concerns that picking them at No. 8 might feel like a stretch. Carolina should remain open-minded."
When you're selecting in the top 10 of the draft, you want that player to make an immediate impact. The last things a rebuilding team can afford is missing on a high pick. Drafting for need is something to do in later rounds, as Valentino goes on to point out.
"When the Panthers pick again at No. 57, they will find some solid pass-rushing prospects still available. Surprisingly, the difference between Walker and Ohio State's Jack Sawyer isn't significant. The Panthers need to weigh whether it's better to choose someone like Will Johnson at cornerback, Warren at tight end, or McMillan at receiver and then go for a Day 2 pass rusher, or to settle for a less impressive corner or playmaker on Day 2 while picking the second or third pass-rusher available."
Waiting until after the first round to take an edge rusher definitely seems like the most logical thing for the Panthers to do, especially since there may not be much of a drop-off between who's available in round one verses round two. An argument could also be made that surrounded quarterback Bryce Young with as many weapons as possible should be the top priority for his continued development.
Panthers see if lightning can strike twice in a new 2025 NFL mock draft by doing something most teams frown upon
The Carolina Panthers have been active through the first wave of free agency to improve their roster. But they still have multiple glaring needs remaining ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. In a new A to Z Sports mock draft, the Panthers try and find out if lightning can, in fact, strike twice by taking a swing […]
