With a full slate of picks and pressing needs on both sides of the ball, the Carolina Panthers approach the 2025 NFL Draft with purpose. This mock draft adds explosiveness to the offense and reloads a defense that needs more juice in the front seven and secondary. Carolina leans into versatility, toughness, and upside with a well-rounded group of ten selections.
Carolina Panthers 7-Round Mock Draft
Round 1, Pick 8: Jalon Walker | LB | Georgia
Walker gives Carolina a high-ceiling centerpiece for the middle of their defense. A rangy, modern linebacker with elite athleticism, he flies sideline to sideline and is equally comfortable blitzing or dropping into coverage. His instincts and play speed bring an immediate spark to the linebacker unit, and he’s a foundational pick for a defense in transition.
Round 2, Pick 57: Benjamin Morrison | CB | Notre Dame
Morrison adds poise, length, and polish to the cornerback room. He’s sticky in coverage, smooth transitions, and unafraid to get physical. Whether lining up outside or occasionally sliding inside, Morrison projects as a long-term starter who can match up with various receiving threats across the NFC South.
Round 3, Pick 74: Jalen Royals | WR | Utah State
Royals is one of the most dynamic deep threats in this class. His burst off the line and ability to track the deep ball gives Carolina an added vertical dimension. He’s also slippery after the catch and plays bigger than his frame, giving the offense a valuable weapon who can stretch the field and create mismatches.
Round 4, Pick 111: Oluwafemi Oladejo | EDGE | UCLA
Oladejo is a long, active edge defender who plays with effort and intelligence. Though still developing as a pass rusher, he’s strong against the run and offers scheme versatility. His motor and toughness make him a great rotational piece with upside to grow into more.
Round 4, Pick 114: Jamaree Caldwell | DL | Oregon
Caldwell brings power and disruption on the interior. He anchors well against the run and has flashed the ability to push the pocket. With his frame and strength, he’ll compete for early snaps on early downs and has traits that could translate into more pass-rush production with development.
Round 5, Pick 140: Pat Bryant | WR | Illinois
A rugged, well-rounded wideout, Bryant fits perfectly into a physical offense. He’s a willing blocker, has reliable hands, and runs precise routes. He complements more explosive receivers and profiles as a WR3/4 with the ability to contribute on special teams and in the red zone.
Round 5, Pick 146: Trevor Etienne | HB | Georgia
Etienne injects the backfield with explosiveness and vision. He’s compact, slippery through traffic, and shows solid receiving chops. In a rotation or as a change-of-pace runner, Etienne can bring energy and production to an offense that needs more consistent chunk plays from the backfield.
Round 5, Pick 163: Robert Longerbeam | CB | Rutgers
Longerbeam is an undersized but scrappy corner with strong instincts and quick feet. His agility and anticipation make him a solid depth pick with potential as a nickel corner or special teams contributor. He competes hard on every snap and adds depth at a critical position.
Round 7, Pick 230: Ty Robinson | DL | Nebraska
Robinson brings toughness and experience to the defensive front. He’s a space-eater who can anchor well in the run game and provide rotational reps on early downs. Though not a flashy pass rusher, his physicality and motor give him a shot to stick as a role player in the trenches.
Final Thoughts:
This Panthers mock builds out key defensive layers while supporting a young offense with playmakers like Royals, Bryant, and Etienne. Jalon Walker and Benjamin Morrison offer instant impact potential on defense, and the depth added along the line and in the secondary reflects a front office focused on getting faster, tougher, and deeper at every level.
