The Super Bowl is over and draft season has begun. Dan Morgan and his front-office staff have been preparing for weeks leading up to the assessment stage. The general manager is also loaded with significant assets to strengthen the playing personnel.
There is optimism surrounding the Panthers this offseason. They were more competitive once things finally clicked in 2024. The prominent leadership positions are stable and quarterback Bryce Young looks like a potential franchise quarterback. A strong recruitment period could see this perennial underachiever become a trendy pick to reach the postseason next time around.
Improving the roster will go a long way to achieving this objective. There isn't much financial wiggle room on Carolina's salary cap right now, although that will change once releases, contract restructures, and extensions ahead of time are confirmed by the organization. Just how much this will move the needle is anyone's guess, so maximizing the draft assets is crucial.
Morgan has nine selections in the 2025 NFL Draft. Five of these are in the top 115 and the Panthers have seven in the first 150. That's not a bad position to be in. Capitalizing on them is a different challenge entirely.
Carolina Panthers have flexibility during the 2025 NFL Draft
Assessing draft prospects and their potential at the next level is a specialist trait. Morgan got a mixed return from his first draft class, although nobody chosen got tagged with the dreaded 'bust' label. They can all increase their contributions with additional development. That does not detract from the need to hit on his second group of college players.
Carolina's needs are pretty obvious right now. They will change depending on free agency, but the overall draft approach never alters. The Panthers must find immediate difference-makers with their early picks and rotational players with upside lower down the pecking order.
Having so many picks gives Morgan flexibility. One couldn't dismiss the possibility of trading down or up depending on how things unfold. The Panthers could also use one or two of their picks to acquire a proven veteran in the trade market if the right opportunity presents itself. The options are endless.
Morgan will have a plan in place. After taking stock to put the football operation on sounder footing in year one, the front-office leader can be more aggressive now. That only adds to the fascination with evaluation events in full swing and the NFL Scouting Combine on the immediate horizon.
Using the Pro Football Network simulator, we took a look at how the Panthers might approach their 2025 NFL Draft selections in this seven-round mock.
Carolina Panthers draft Will Johnson
- Cornerback | Michigan Wolverines
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 8
Dan Morgan's plans should focus on defensive improvements this offseason. Neglecting the offense wouldn't be wise, but the Carolina Panthers need to significantly bolster the options at coordinator Ejiro Evero's disposal.
The Panthers' defense was historically bad in 2024. They conceded the most single-season points in NFL history. Their run defense was the league's worst by more than 30 rushing yards per game. Evero didn't have the quality or depth to change anything and Carolina paid a heavy price.
This is a deep class for defensive linemen and edge rushers. The Panthers can solve this critical need further down the pecking order. That's why the choice here is Michigan cornerback Will Johnson.
Jaycee Horn is a stud. Mike Jackson Sr. could be extended and Chau Smith-Wade showed flashes of rookie promise from the nickel spot. Adding someone with Johnson's attributes would provide the secondary with a huge boost.
Johnson has all the traits normally associated with shutdown cornerbacks at the next level. His size, length, and athleticism make him scheme-versatile. He mirrors opposing wide receivers incredibly well and closes throwing windows with impressive frequency.
Whether he'll be around by the time Carolina goes on the clock is debatable. If Johnson makes it this far, don't be surprised if the Panthers pull the trigger.
Carolina Panthers draft Shemar Stewart
- Edge Rusher | Texas A&M Aggies
- Round No. 2 | Pick No. 57
Another critical objective for the Panthers centers on the defensive front seven within Ejiro Evero's 3-4 base system. Everything starts upfront — an area where Carolina was found wanting more often than not in 2024.
Adding another explosive edge rusher from the college ranks is an attainable objective. Losing Brian Burns, Frankie Luvu, and Yetur Gross-Matos left them devoid of reliable options. Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum formed a decent tandem over the second half of 2024, but that's not enough.
It would be surprising if Shemar Stewart was available here. The Texas A&M prospect did his stock considerable good at the 2025 Senior Bowl. He put his exceptional length and explosiveness on full display in front of scouts and front-office personnel. Many believe he could end up in the first round, but we're playing the simulator.
Stewart's sack numbers weren't stellar by any stretch with the Aggies. However, good teams draft prospects based on what they can be in the pros. The Panthers should examine his capabilities in greater detail during their comprehensive assessments.
Carolina Panthers draft Jalen Royals
- Wide Receiver | Utah State Aggies
- Round No. 3 | Pick No. 74
Dan Morgan's primary investments should be defensively. That's a consensus agreement among fans and acknowledged by the general manager. However, the Panthers also need to get Bryce Young more prolific weapons in the passing game.
Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker showed promise as rookies and should improve. Adam Thielen is giving it another go in 2025 and will be a useful asset over short-to-intermediate routes. That won't be enough if Young wants to take the next step after proving his worth as a long-term starter.
A daring move via trade or free agency cannot be completely dismissed. The Panthers could also acquire a gifted playmaker from the college ranks to fortify depth.
Jalen Royals ticks a lot of boxes. He burst onto the scene at Utah State in 2023 en route to 1,080 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns. His final campaign with the Aggies ended abruptly after seven games, but he was still able to put up outstanding numbers to make NFL teams sit up and take notice.
Royals is a slick route runner with assured hands who can stretch the field with ease. He's not the biggest, but the explosive pass-catcher makes things happen. That's exactly what the Panthers are looking for.
Carolina Panthers draft Jared Wilson
- Center | Georgia Bulldogs
- Round No. 4 | Pick No. 110
The Carolina Panthers offensive line was a legitimate success story in 2024. Adding to the depth options is key this offseason if Brady Christensen departs. There is also one starting spot that could use a long-term solution.
Austin Corbett, Christensen, and Cade Mays all manned the center position in 2024. All did well, but all are free agents. Much will depend on who stays or goes, but finding a high-upside prospect who could potentially start over time wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.
Jared Wilson remains a little raw with just one year of starting experience, but his ceiling is incredibly high. The Georgia prospect has the athleticism and football IQ to slot into a pro scheme effectively. His strong core base makes him a difficult prospect to shift on running plays. There was also a lot to like about his technical growth during the 2024 campaign.
This represents a ton of value here, especially if Wilson takes on coaching quickly. One of the aforementioned veterans could fill the void until he is ready to assume significant responsibilities. That shouldn't take too long.
Carolina Panthers draft Jordan Phillips
- Defensive Line | Maryland Terrapins
- Round No. 4 | Pick No. 113
If the Panthers are serious about making defensive improvements this offseason, they must find a genuine nose tackle. Anything else is organizational malpractice.
Shy Tuttle filled the anchor role over the last two seasons. He's never found wanting for effort, but he's not suited to the role and could be a salary-cap casualty in the not-too-distant future. Finding a space-hogger capable of making life easier for everyone is paramount. Two of them would be even better.
Adding in free agency is a must. Taking advantage of a deep draft class for defensive linemen should also be high on Dan Morgan's to-do list. Jordan Phillips got special permission to enter the 2025 NFL Draft early, which should immediately put him on the Panthers' shortlist.
Phillips is a phenomenal athlete for a man his size. There isn't much college production to speak of during his time at Maryland. Even so, the potential is immeasurable once he puts everything together.
With his core base, explosiveness to the contact point, and fluid lateral movements, Phillips would be a tremendous asset to the Panthers. He could even generate significant reps immediately with a smooth transition.
Carolina Panthers draft Jeffrey Bassa
- Linebacker | Oregon Ducks
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 141
The Panthers have some conundrums to solve within their linebacking corps. Josey Jewell performed well during his first season with the franchise and Trevin Wallace was solid as a rookie. All bets are off aside from that.
Shaq Thompson's future is under a cloud. The veteran team leader is coming off two serious injuries in consecutive seasons. He wants to stay with the Panthers and is confident his health issues are behind him. However, it could go either way with Dan Morgan running the football operation with no sentiment attached.
Regardless of whether Thompson stays or not, the Panthers could use another athlete at the defensive second level to mold. Jeffrey Bassa looks like a good scheme fit with the savviness that defies someone so young.
Bassa identifies plays incredibly well. He's a football savant who recognizes plays developing quickly before reaching the contact point with conviction. This also makes him an asset in coverage to further enhance his influence.
The Oregon prospect needs to add muscle mass upon joining the pros. But he can become a dynamic special teams ace while working on other areas of his game.
Carolina Panthers draft Malachi Moore
- Safety | Alabama Crimson Tide
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 147
Big changes are coming to the Carolina Panthers' safety corps this offseason. Four veterans who accumulated the lion's share of reps in 2024 are out of contract and looking for new deals. This would be a good time for Dan Morgan to hit the reset button.
Xavier Woods was inconsistent over the campaign and could be moved on. Jordan Fuller and Nick Scott will take their chances elsewhere. Sam Franklin Jr.'s special teams prowess warrants another deal, but he's not the most productive on the defensive rotation.
A complete overhaul is needed. The Panthers need to find the right blend of youth and experience on the backend to take them forward. A ballhawk playmaker like Malachi Moore represents good value at this stage of the draft.
Moore is athletic and instinctive. He's intelligent, which makes him an asset closer to the line of scrimmage. The Alabama prospect is an assured tackler and a strong communicator. Leading from the front is not a problem either.
He's not the quickest, so landing in the right fit is crucial. But there's nothing to suggest Moore couldn't be an immediate depth piece and core special teamer in this scenario.
Carolina Panthers draft Tonka Hemingway
- Defensive Line | South Carolina Gamecocks
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 164
As previously mentioned, this is a deep draft class for defensive linemen. It would be prudent for Carolina to double or even triple-dip given their frailties on Ejiro Evero's 3-4 front. Whether it's starters or depth pieces, the Panthers need a makeover.
Derrick Brown is the only guaranteed starter to return. It would be surprising if A'Shawn Robinson didn't get another year, but his lackluster efforts against the run reduced his margin for error considerably. Shy Tuttle, DeShawn Williams, and LaBryan Ray won't be so lucky.
Tonka Hemingway is flying under the radar a little. There's nothing flashy about the interior force, he just goes about his business effectively. He's got four seasons of decent college production under his belt at South Carolina, accumulating 112 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and 9.5 sacks.
While Hemingway could stand to bulk up slightly against NFL-caliber offensive linemen, his college tape is littered with examples of the player getting off double teams effectively. He's also a quick mover, changing direction laterally with no wasted movements in pursuit of the ball carrier.
The Panthers could do far worse than look in Hemingway's direction that's for sure.
Carolina Panthers draft Trevor Etienne
- Running Back | Georgia Bulldogs
- Round No. 7 | Pick No. 229
The Panthers have a sneaky need at the running back position. This is a deep draft class to find a diamond in the rough capable of making their presence felt when called upon.
Chuba Hubbard is the undisputed No. 1 option after deservedly getting a four-year extension during the season. Things are extremely shaky aside from that, with Miles Sanders a potential salary-cap cut candidate and Jonathon Brooks set to miss most if not all of 2025 after tearing his ACL for the second time.
Carolina needs to find another dynamic young playmaker. Although he might not have the big-time reputation of his brother, Trevor Etienne brings a lot of likable traits to the table.
The brother of Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne is a pocket rocket at 5-foot-8 with outstanding vision. He's also got the explosiveness to exploit gaps and make things happen in the open field.
His lack of size makes absorbing contact difficult, so the right scheme is crucial. Dave Canales should be able to put his skill set to good use, although bulking up and improving his technique in pass protection is desirable.