Carolina Panthers Mock Draft Roundup 2.0

Throughout the year and leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft, we will update our Carolina Panthers Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Carolina Panthers from several prominent sites and draft analysts.

The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Panthers:

NFL.com — Eric Edholm

8. Jalon Walker, EDGE/LB, Georgia

Bryce Young needs weapons, true, but Walker's burst, bend and play style are perfect for a defense that regressed in 2024 and could use more juice up front.

CBS Sports — Josh Edwards

8. Jalon Walker, EDGE/LB, Georgia

In the past, I have given Carolina either Will Johnson or Mykel Williams, dependent upon who was available. In the spirit of mixing things up, the Panthers take Jalon Walker, adding a player capable of applying pressure from the second level.

NFL.com — Bucky Brooks

8. Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia

Adding a difference maker on the defensive front will help Derrick Brown and Co. impose their will on opponents.

Yahoo! — Tice/McDonald

8. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

Carolina got some quality play out of Bryce Young toward the end of the season and now need to keep building out the core. McMillan can be a tremendous No. 1 receiver for Young to grow with and would immediately create quality depth with young players like Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker.

The Athletic — Baumgardner/Dochterman

8. James Pearce Jr., EDGE, Tennessee

Pearce flashed All-American-level ability during his tenure with the Vols, but he still has to gain consistency to reach his potential. He's a quick-twitch edge rusher with the ability to get to the quarterback and could drop into coverage, if necessary.

But the Panthers allowed 6.0 yards per play (worst in the NFL) and need someone who can impact the passing game. If Pearce hits the high end of his development, he could become an impact defender in the Danielle Hunter mold.

EDSFootball — Kevin Hanson

8. Jalon Walker, EDGE/LB, Georgia

General manager Dan Morgan will likely use this pick to address Carolina's defense, especially their front seven, which ranked last in the league in YPG (404.5), yards per play (6.0), YPC (5.2), QB pressures per play (16.2%), and points per game (31.4). Walker's positional versatility and ability to rush the passer will be a good first step in turning around the defense.

The 33rd Team — Kyle Crabbs

8. Will Johnson, CB, Michigan

Carolina's needs could easily have swung to wide receiver had McMillan made it to their slot. Instead, Carolina can use this pick to focus on righting the ship for a defense that struggled greatly in 2024. Many things did not go right for the Panthers' defense last season, and the depth chart offers no shortage of upgrade opportunities. The best-player available approach with Will Johnson could be the kind of pick that changes the unit's identity. Had Johnson not battled injuries this season, he likely wouldn't have made it to No. 8 overall.

NFL.com — Daniel Jeremiah

8. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona

The Panthers continue to build around Bryce Young with a big, rangy and athletic receiver in McMillen. He'll be a red-zone menace.

ESPN — Mel Kiper

8. Jalon Walker, EDGE/LB, Georgia

Carolina gave up 6.0 yards per play and 31.4 points per game this season, both last in the NFL. Regardless of what you think of quarterback Bryce Young's long-term potential, it's tough to win games with a defense that allows that many points.

Walker is versatile, and he can line up as a traditional off-ball linebacker or as an edge rusher. His game is all about speed-to-power, and no matter where you put him, he can get into the backfield to blow up plays. He had 6.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss this season, and he'd be a fit in coordinator Ejiro Evero's unit.

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