Panthers Full 2025 7-Round Mock Draft

It’s that time of year again. It’s NFL Draft. While the season is young and just getting started, some fans see this a key point in every NFL season. For some it’s adding a key piece to turn their team around for years to come. For others, it’s adding young stars to a star loaded roster to fight and reach the promise land, The Super Bowl.

For me, as a Carolina Panthers fan, it’s time to find pieces to continue to build around a young roster that will blend well and bring playoff football back to the Queen City. Since 2020, the Panthers have picked top 10 every year besides 2024, due to Chicago having our pick, and even then, it was still a top 10 pick. After Young was benched last year, he came back and shined and looked like the QB he was during his Alabama days. Now under Year 2 with Coach Canales, the goal is to continue to build and succeed.

Carolina enters the 2025 Draft with 9 picks in 7 Rounds. In round 1, they will draft 8th. I see two possibilities here

Round 1- OPTION A -

P8 - Jalon Walker, LB, Georgia

Stay at Pick 8 and Draft Jalon Walker - LB Georgia. If Carter is gone by this point, Walker would return home and is a key need at Outside Linebacker after an offseason of shoring up the defensive. Walker can be slotted into multiple different positions if needed which not many can do. Walker said at the combine “I feel that makes me the different chess piece that no one else compares to”.

Round 1 - OPTION B -

*TRADE* P3 - Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State

Trade up to 3 with NY Giants and draft Abdul Carter - Edge Penn State. The deal would Swap 1st Rounders for this year along with Carolina sending New York their 2026 1 st Rounder and 2026 4th round pick as well. Carter is considered the best defensive player in this year’s draft. Again this helps shore up this defense even more. Carter also would be a great piece that would put fear into opponent’s offensive lines. While this is not likely as the Giants need all the help they can get, I think there is a chance as they are in need of a Young QB or an Offensive Weapon and can trade back and still get what they are looking for.

Round 2, P57 From LAR - Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa St.

Higgins offers versatility as both an outside and inside receiver, making him a strong fit for Carolina’s gameplan. His ability to line up as a boundary receiver while also occasionally moving inside creates mismatches for defenses. Carolina doesn’t have a Number 1 WR but do have a nice young core along with veteran Thielen would help this rookie develop into a Number 1 for Carolina for years to come.

Round 3, P74 - Zy Alexander, CB, LSU

Alexander has the size and speed to become a starter in this league. Pairing him along with Horn in the Carolina secondary would lead to a dangerous duo. Alexander makes sure to stay on his defenders and not them get separation for him to be beaten.

Round 4, P111 - Jack Sawyer, EDGE, Ohio St.

A projected second to third rounder falls into the fourth rounder and Carolina picked up National Champion Edge to help and continue to strengthen this Carolina defense. His game is built for power and having him on the interior d-line would help stop opponents run games which Carolina ranked in last in 2024.

*TRADE* - Pick Acquired from DAL traded to SEA.

Round 4, P137 - Jake Majors, OL, Texas

Carolina swaps 2 picks in 2025 and 2026 7th Rounder to acquire from Seattle 3 picks in 2025. - Majors plays with poise and control. He’s athletic enough to lead the charge around the corner and can get into the second level. He has neutralizing core strength with smarts and potential to become a starter. His blocking from his hips and inside hands will be good to give Young time to examine and throw.

Round 5, P140 *From NYG*- Marcus Tate, OG, Clemson

Though Tate has suffered injuries the last few years at Clemson that has stop from showing off his skill set. When he is on the field, he is better known for his pass protection and has a sturdy base that will keep rushers from attacking the QB which for Carolina is very key for this offense. Protect Young and keeping his confidence high for him to continue to grow and become a Top QB in this league.

Round 5, P146 - Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame

Evans’ has the size and dual-capacity ability on all three downs gives him a chance to become a starter with average catch production. Carolina has now a nice TE Room with a mix of blocking TE and receiving TE. For Carolina, Evans would be used more for blocking than receiving but will definitely see some throws come his way on short downs for sure.

Round 5, P163 *From BAL* - Jared Ivey, EDGE, Ole Miss

Ivey would be the backup Edge to Sawyer but has the ability to become a starter later on. He is quote “slippery” and is able to get through and attack the opponents QB. For Carolina, his ability he will able to force pressure when he is on the field and help get the offense back on the field much quicker.

Round 5, P172 - Shilo Sanders, S, Colorado

One of the Sander brothers falls down to the 5 th round right for Carolina to pick him up. Though projected high some feel that he will fall due to injuries, poor pro day performance and what his father has said about him. For Carolina, it fills a void and continues to build on the defensive offseason. Sanders does have excellent ball skills and can create turnovers. He has a passion for the game with a high IQ and a bloodline that shows he can make it in the NFL. Only time will tell if he pans out or injuries derail his career.

Round 5, P175 *From SEA* - Jimmy Horn Jr, WR, Colorado

Horn is fast and fearless, which will appeal to squads looking to stretch the field from the slot. He also makes catches in traffic without hesitation and has the wiggle and gas to hit a big play once it is in his hands. For Carolina, he may be best to start as a returner and gain big yards to bring the offense closer to mid field.

Conclusion

This mock draft focus on getting some key offensive pieces to help continue growing the young core in Carolina while also continue to add defensive pieces to a defensive offseason. The most important part of this draft is Round 1 in which multiple things can happen as well as the rest of Round 1 can change in just the matter of minutes on Draft Night. All of this hopefully leads Carolina back to the Playoffs for the first time since 2017.

OPTION A - Overall Grade of This Draft - A

OPTION B - Overall Grade of This Draft - B