Carolina Panthers NFL Mock Draft Roundup 1.0

While Micah Parsons may hope to keep him in the DFW, Hill is an athletic do-everything linebacker with sideline-to-sideline range to make plays defending the run or in coverage. And he may be at his best wreaking havoc as a blitzer. The former five-star recruit finished 2024 with 113 tackles including 16.5 for loss, eight sacks and four forced fumbles.

Carolina picked up Ikem Ekwonu's option, but there is a world where they move on from him after the season or potentially even convert him to offensive guard. Mauigoa would give them a new left tackle on a rookie contract. Mauigoa's older brother, Francisco, was drafted in the fifth round by the Jets.

After the projected trade down, the Panthers would acquire extra draft capital and still have the chance to select Hill, the type of rangy middle linebacker that Carolina currently lacks. He's explosive with great range. His play speed and ability to sift through traffic make Hill a true sideline-to-sideline off-ball linebacker. But he can also get into the backfield, as his 15.5 tackles for loss was the 17th most among all FBS defenders in 2024. Carolina could use Hill as a blitzer.

Bain (6-3, 275 pounds) is a massive, full-sized edge defender who took the ACC by storm in 2023, earning Freshman All-America accolades after recording 45 pressures and 27 stops for the Canes. He needs to clean up an elevated 26% missed tackle rate, but Bain has a dense frame that is made for the NFL.

Teams that dove into Cam Ward's tape may have been drawn more toward his big offensive tackle at Miami before realizing that he wouldn't be draft-eligible until 2026. Mauigoa checks off the boxes in terms of size, movement in the passing game and rushing attack. He's playing for a terrific set of coaches who have a great history at developing offensive linemen. He is an easy addition for the Panthers as they look to keep Bryce Young upright.

It was impossible to ignore Faulk — and his ability to disrupt the quarterback and stuff the run — when studying the Auburn-Cal tape from last season. Listed at 6-foot-6 and 288 pounds, with long arms, Faulk, according to scouts, will be in the conversation to be the first defensive lineman drafted next year.

A do-it-all off-ball linebacker with the diagnostic skills and athleticism to beat backs to the perimeter, drop into coverage and attack quarterbacks, Hill would have ranked among the best at his position in the 2025 draft, had he been eligible.

Even after taking Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen on Day 2, Carolina's pass rush likely will remain in dire straits for another season. That could leave the Panthers clamoring for someone who can create chaos, and the 6-6, 270-pound Faulk could take over for Jadeveon Clowney as a supersized edge rusher capable of creating a serious jolt.