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The Carolina Panthers began the heavy portion of their 2025 offseason with a big swing and a miss, as defensive lineman Milton Williams stiffed their nearly-successful advances en route to a massive deal from the New England Patriots. But they didn’t let a little misdirection from the top free agent in football take them completely off their course.
From there, the Panthers implemented an aggressive game plan, coming to terms with a handful of different players on that very same day. Their approach landed them four ascending talents to spread across all three levels of their defense, giving the historically-inept unit a much-needed boost.
So, what if Carolina continued their aggressive ways into the next stage of the offseason?
Yeah, yeah—president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan hasn’t exactly expressed a desire to move up from the eighth overall pick of the upcoming draft. In fact, he’s actually stated that he prefers to move down from his team’s current position in the first round.
But now that we’re less than a month away from finding out whose name actually gets called on the night of April 24, let’s add a little spice into the process, shall we?
Here, in keeping with the front office’s spirited ambitions, is our latest seven-round mock for the Panthers . . .
Trade
New York Giants acquire: No. 8, No. 57, 2026 second-round pick
Panthers acquire: No. 3, No. 219
Is hunting down the best player in the entire class aggressive enough for ya?
In this scenario, the Tennessee Titans made Miami's Cam Ward the No. 1 overall pick and the Cleveland Browns nabbed Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders at No. 2—boxing the Giants out on a quarterback prospect. So, Morgan calls up his buddy Joe Schoen to offer New York a worthwhile exit route.
This allows the Panthers to fill two high-end needs with one generational prospect in Hunter, who can bump the offense to a new level as a wide receiver and solidify the secondary as a cornerback. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner has displayed the ability to separate at all three levels and stretch the field as a pass catcher and cover with elite ball skills as a defender.
Some may believe, with Carolina’s anemic pass rush, that Penn State outside linebacker Abdul Carter would be the target in this type of trade-up scenario. But as promising as Carter is, he won’t give you an elite playmaker on both sides of the ball.
Trade
Philadelphia Eagles acquire: No. 74, No. 114
Panthers acquire: No. 64
Another pick, another trade. (This ruthless aggression would make John Cena blush.)
Anyway, the Panthers move up 10 spots into the second round to take that edge presence they need.
Stewart is a pure pass rusher who will thrive off ample first-step explosiveness, knock-back ability in speed-to-power rushes and a well-developed plan at the point of attack. This investment gives Carolina a future sack artist, and one who can also fill out as a capable run defender.
Yes, the Panthers did trade up for Hunter. But why not double up at wideout and give quarterback Bryce Young yet another dynamic weapon?
Williams, like Hunter, is an explosive playmaker with real run-after-catch ability. He excels against press coverage and is a consistent winner at the line of scrimmage.
An underrated prospect, Yurosek is the type of developmental talent head coach Dave Canales loves to mold. While he has some room to grow as a pass catcher, the 6-foot-4, 245-pounder is a willing blocker who can provide a bit of depth behind Tommy Tremble and Ja’Tavion Sanders.
Longtime right tackle Taylor Moton is entering the final year of his current deal. So the Panthers could be eyeing a potential successor a season ahead of time.
Finding a No. 3 back to place behind Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle should be a priority on the third day of the draft. Hunter is a physical runner with solid hands and explosiveness.
Moore provides depth at the safety position, and some possible competition at the nickel.
James, who has a top-30 visit scheduled with Carolina, would offer more depth to the linebacker room as a late-round developmental prospect.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Carolina Panthers 2025 mock draft 7.0: Trading up to the No. 3 pick
Continue reading...
From there, the Panthers implemented an aggressive game plan, coming to terms with a handful of different players on that very same day. Their approach landed them four ascending talents to spread across all three levels of their defense, giving the historically-inept unit a much-needed boost.
So, what if Carolina continued their aggressive ways into the next stage of the offseason?
Yeah, yeah—president of football operations and general manager Dan Morgan hasn’t exactly expressed a desire to move up from the eighth overall pick of the upcoming draft. In fact, he’s actually stated that he prefers to move down from his team’s current position in the first round.
But now that we’re less than a month away from finding out whose name actually gets called on the night of April 24, let’s add a little spice into the process, shall we?
Here, in keeping with the front office’s spirited ambitions, is our latest seven-round mock for the Panthers . . .
First round (No. 3 overall, via NYG): Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Colorado
Trade
New York Giants acquire: No. 8, No. 57, 2026 second-round pick
Panthers acquire: No. 3, No. 219
Is hunting down the best player in the entire class aggressive enough for ya?
In this scenario, the Tennessee Titans made Miami's Cam Ward the No. 1 overall pick and the Cleveland Browns nabbed Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders at No. 2—boxing the Giants out on a quarterback prospect. So, Morgan calls up his buddy Joe Schoen to offer New York a worthwhile exit route.
This allows the Panthers to fill two high-end needs with one generational prospect in Hunter, who can bump the offense to a new level as a wide receiver and solidify the secondary as a cornerback. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner has displayed the ability to separate at all three levels and stretch the field as a pass catcher and cover with elite ball skills as a defender.
Some may believe, with Carolina’s anemic pass rush, that Penn State outside linebacker Abdul Carter would be the target in this type of trade-up scenario. But as promising as Carter is, he won’t give you an elite playmaker on both sides of the ball.
Second round (No. 64 overall, via PHI): Josaiah Stewart, EDGE, Michigan
Trade
Philadelphia Eagles acquire: No. 74, No. 114
Panthers acquire: No. 64
Another pick, another trade. (This ruthless aggression would make John Cena blush.)
Anyway, the Panthers move up 10 spots into the second round to take that edge presence they need.
Stewart is a pure pass rusher who will thrive off ample first-step explosiveness, knock-back ability in speed-to-power rushes and a well-developed plan at the point of attack. This investment gives Carolina a future sack artist, and one who can also fill out as a capable run defender.
Fourth round (No. 114 overall, via DAL): Kyle Williams, WR, Washington State
Yes, the Panthers did trade up for Hunter. But why not double up at wideout and give quarterback Bryce Young yet another dynamic weapon?
Williams, like Hunter, is an explosive playmaker with real run-after-catch ability. He excels against press coverage and is a consistent winner at the line of scrimmage.
Fifth round (No. 140 overall, via NYG): Benjamin Yurosek, TE, Georgia
An underrated prospect, Yurosek is the type of developmental talent head coach Dave Canales loves to mold. While he has some room to grow as a pass catcher, the 6-foot-4, 245-pounder is a willing blocker who can provide a bit of depth behind Tommy Tremble and Ja’Tavion Sanders.
Fifth round (No. 146 overall): Emory Jones Jr., OT, LSU
Longtime right tackle Taylor Moton is entering the final year of his current deal. So the Panthers could be eyeing a potential successor a season ahead of time.
Fifth round (No. 163 overall, via BAL): Jarquez Hunter, RB, Auburn
Finding a No. 3 back to place behind Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle should be a priority on the third day of the draft. Hunter is a physical runner with solid hands and explosiveness.
Seventh round (No. 219 overall, via NYG): Malachi Moore, S, Alabama
Moore provides depth at the safety position, and some possible competition at the nickel.
Seventh round (No. 230 overall, via ARZ): Shemar James, LB, Florida
James, who has a top-30 visit scheduled with Carolina, would offer more depth to the linebacker room as a late-round developmental prospect.
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Carolina Panthers 2025 mock draft 7.0: Trading up to the No. 3 pick
Continue reading...
