The Carolina Panthers were extremely close to losing defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero this offseason. He was a finalist for the Las Vegas Raiders' head-coaching job, and would have gotten it if Klint Kubiak hadn't enthused by the project. That wasn't the case, so head coach Dave Canales is no doubt thrilled continuity remains intact in Year 3 of his tenure.
Evero received a contract extension after the 2024 campaign, which was surprising given his unit's historically bad performance. It was a massive vote of confidence in his capabilities. And once the personnel were enhanced, the improvements in 2025 were evident.
Carolina went from the league's worst defense to middle-of-the-pack. Fans were frustrated by his conservative approach on occasion, but the campaign overall represented a step in the right direction. Now, the onus is on general manager Dan Morgan to keep strengthening the group to ensure everything continues to trend up.
The Panthers have to be smart with their money. They don't have much cash to spend right now, although that will change once the required sacrifices are made. Either way, it makes the draft even more important for Morgan if this upstart contender wants to successfully defend their NFC South championship next season.
Using the Pro Football and Sports Network simulator, we took a look at how the Panthers might approach their picks in our latest seven-round mock draft.
Carolina Panthers 7-round mock draft builds a dominant defense for Ejiro Evero
Carolina Panthers draft Kayden McDonald
- Defensive Line | Ohio State Buckeyes
- Round No. 1 | Pick No. 21
A small trade-down starts proceedings. Swapping picks with the Pittsburgh Steelers, while also getting a third-rounder next year, would be a tempting proposition. As for the choice? One couldn't rule out the Carolina Panthers adding a potential game-wrecker to the defensive trenches.
A'Shawn Robinson is a potential salary-cap cut candidate with $10.5 million in savings attached. The jury is also still out on Tershawn Wharton, so acquiring another imposing force wouldn't be the worst idea in the world.
Kayden McDonald fit the mold of what the Panthers might want. The Ohio State prospect is a sensational presence against the run, able to absorb double-teams with violent hands and a strong base to still make plays. He probably won't ever be an elite pass-rushing force on a 3-4 front, but his high motor and core functional strength make him the perfect replacement for Robinson if the Panthers cut ties.
Slotting a space-eater like McDonald in the middle of Ejiro Evero's 3-4 front would make things easier for everybody.
Carolina Pantheras draft D'Angelo Ponds
- Cornerback | Indiana Hoosiers
- Round No. 2 | Pick No. 52
Another trade down. The Carolina Panthers move back just one spot but get another draft pick to address their needs. And this could potentially give them the freedom to take a swing at one of the biggest wildcards of the 2026 class.
Carolina is blessed to have a shutdown cornerback tandem on the boundary. Jaycee Horn cemented his status among the league's best with a second straight Pro Bowl-caliber campaign. Mike Jackson Sr. broke out into the borderline elite category, too, making it difficult for any opposing offense to pass outside the numbers.
Across the middle, it was a different story. The Panthers could use an upgrade at the nickel spot. Even though D'Angelo Ponds is an outlier from a height standpoint, his electrifying energy and playmaking ability could be a breath of fresh air.
Ponds was a driving force for Indiana on its way to championship success. He's instinctive, more physical than you would think, and looks extremely well-suited to the zone-heavy coverage scheme Ejiro Evero deploys.
Carolina Panthers draft Blake Miller
- Offensive Tackle | Clemson Tigers
- Round No. 2 | Pick No. 53
Carolina's plans on the offensive line took a seismic shift during their agonizingly close wild-card playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams. The Panthers were dealt a devastating blow when starting left tackle Ikem Ekwonu suffered a ruptured patellar tendon, which could rule him out for most, if not all, of the 2026 campaign.
Couple this with Taylor Moton not getting any younger, and the massive investments across the protection in front of quarterback Bryce Young, and the Panthers need to draft a young offensive tackle this year. And it just so happens that a decent option is available close to home.
Blake Miller remains a work in progress, but his ceiling is through the roof. The Clemson prospect is a fluid mover with heavy hands in the run game. He is scheme versatile and extremely aggressive at the contact point. Once some technical refinements are worked out, he's got starter upside on the right, or potentially the blindside, with a smooth transition.
Carolina Panthers draft Deontae Lawson
- Linebacker | Alabama Crimson Tide
- Round No. 4 | Pick No. 119
The Panthers need help at the linebacker position. Dan Morgan admitted as much during a recent interview, so it would be surprising if the front-office leader wasn't aggressive to rectify this issue at the defensive second level.
Trevin Wallace was the starting tandem last season, with mixed success. Wallace ended the campaign on injured reserve and was up and down from a consistency standpoint. The same goes for Roseboom, who's also a free agent this offseason.
The rest are backups and special teamers. Carolina needs a coverage linebacker. The team also needs a physical downhill force to help solidify its run defense.
That's where Deontae Lawson comes in. He's physical as a tackle and can process plays quickly. He may not be the elite athlete some former Alabama prospects at the position were, but his football IQ is high, and this looks like a good scheme fit within Ejiro Evero's system.
Carolina Panthers draft Bud Clark
- Safety | TCU Horned Frogs
- Round No. 4 | Pick No. 120
The Carolina Panthers need more in their safety room. Tre'von Moehrig was as advertised, and Lathan Ransom showed promise as a rookie. Even so, there is no room for settling if general manager Dan Morgan wants to build a dominant defense for coordinator Ejiro Evero.
Nick Scott was the starter opposite Moehrig last season. He's got the supreme trust of Evero, but he's entering free agency. And the Panthers should look to upgrade this spot in the near future.
Bud Clark might not be the biggest, but he's a ballhawk who excels in zone coverage schemes. If utilized correctly in Evero's system, the TCU product could be exactly what Carolina is looking for on the back end.
Carolina Panthers draft Nadame Tucker
- Edge Rusher | Western Michigan Broncos
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 157
The Panthers have Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen as edge-rushing building blocks for the future. Still, Dan Morgan wants to strengthen the group at some stage this offseason.
D.J. Wonnum is a free agent and may not return. Patrick Jones II is a possible cut candidate. The Panthers need to find a veteran who can generate pressure more consistently. Another rotational development project with the potential to log meaningful reps through the draft is worth considering.
Nadame Tucker is an interesting prospect. His first three college campaigns at Houston were anonymous before transferring to Western Michigan. After 14.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss, coupled with an exceptional Senior Bowl week, he'll be on the radar now.
Carolina Panthers draft Lewis Bond
- Wide Receiver | Boston College Eagles
- Round No. 5 | Pick No. 161
Finding improved weapons for quarterback Bryce Young should be a top objective for Dan Morgan this offseason. Tetairoa McMillan and Jalen Coker have the potential to be a prolific long-term partnership, but serious questions surround almost everyone else in the wide receiver room.
More is needed, especially if Xavier Legette and Jimmy Horn Jr. don't expand their influence. Finding a dependable veteran or two in free agency would be wise, but someone with Lewis Bond's exciting traits could be another possibility, with draft-steal potential attached.
Bond isn't the most athletic, but he's physical and excels in contested situations. He's also a threat after the catch, which is precisely what the Panthers need.
Carolina Panthers draft Dan Villari
- Tight End | Syracuse Orange
- Round No. 6 | Pick No. 199
The Panthers could use another option at the tight end spot. They've invested a lot of draft capital in the position over recent years, so perhaps an experienced veteran might be the preferred path. If not, Dan Morgan will be aiming to find another productive piece with long-term upside.
Someone like Dan Villari could be worth taking a chance on in the later rounds. The former dual-threat quarterback converted to tight end in 2022, being used as a gadget weapon before coming of age as a pass-catcher at Syracuse last season.
Villari has a lot of physical growth to do if he wants to succeed in the pros, but the potential is there.