Carolina Panthers sophomore quarterback Bryce Young played the best game of his career against the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Young has flashed weekly development since re-entering the lineup for Andy Dalton. It's beginning to look likely that the Panthers will pass on a quarterback in the 2025 NFL Draft and continue building the roster around their ascending signal caller.
With roster construction in mind, here is an early look at where general manager Dan Morgan could go in April via a seven-round mock draft.
Round 1 (No. 5 overall): Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State
Rushing the passer has been a consistent issue for the Panthers defense this season. Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero has witnessed his unit compile just 17 sacks in 11 games, the second-fewest in the league (Atlanta Falcons, 10). They've posted a second-worst 29% pass-rush-win-rate (PRWR), according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Jadeveon Clowney has been ineffective and young rushers like DJ Johnson and Thomas Incoom haven't been NFL-caliber players. Abdul Carter is the draft's premier rusher with untapped athleticism and potential, given this is his first season as a full-time edge defender. Carter's instincts and playmaking ability would be properly utilized by Evero.
Round 2 (No. 47 overall): Tre Harris, WR, Ole Miss
The Panthers recently admitted defeat on Jonathan Mingo. Adam Thielen is an aging asset at wideout. With Young playing well at quarterback, Morgan needs to add another pass-catching weapon opposite Xavier Legette going into next season.
Ole Miss' Tre Harris has exploded to record 60 receptions for 1,030 receiving yards and seven touchdowns this year. Harris is a big-bodied "X" receiver who's an alpha on the boundary. Harris' ability to position his frame to physically dominate defenders at the catch point would complement what Legette does underneath the coverage well.
Round 3 (No. 71 overall): Azareye’h Thomas, CB, Florida State
Jaycee Horn is enjoying a bounce-back season at cornerback. The opposite starter has been Mike Jackson, who is playing underrated ball. Jackson is scheduled for unrestricted free agency. The Panthers need better depth at cornerback even if they re-sign him, considering they have former first-round bust Caleb Farley playing snaps in recent weeks.
Azareye’h Thomas projects as a physical press-man corner at the next level. The standout Seminole is long and patient, creating difficult matchups for opposing wideouts. Evero is a fan of big, athletic corners. Thomas is cut from the same cloth as Horn.
Round 3 (No. 92 overall): Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
Trade picks No. 107 and No. 139 overall to Jacksonville for No. 92
The Panthers are currently slated to possess four selections between 107 and 143 overall. Pairing two of those selections for an opportunity to draft another top-100 talent feels like a distinct possibility. Here, Morgan flips 107 and 139 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for 92nd overall.
Linebacker is a big-time need. The aging Shaq Thompson is scheduled for UFA and Josey Jewell shouldn't be around beyond 2025. Drafting Barrett Carter and eventually pairing him with 2024 third-rounder Trevin Wallace would give the Panthers their long-term partnership at off-ball linebacker. Carter is athletic and versatile enough to defend all three downs.
Round 4 (No. 113 overall): Sai’Vion Jones, EDGE, LSU
The Panthers' situation at EDGE is so bad that Morgan has to double down at some point. DJ Wonnum, Johnson, and Incoom have combined for just 11 pressures this campaign. Evero's outside linebacker personnel requires a complete makeover.
LSU's Sai'Vion Jones has recorded 33 tackles and 4.5 sacks this college football season. Jones possesses a massive pro-ready frame at a listed 6-foot-6 and 280 pounds. He'd give the Panthers quality rotational snaps in 2025.
Round 5 (No. 143 overall): Jaxson Dart, QB, Ole Miss
Dalton is on an expiring contract and the Panthers could feel comfortable moving on given Young's recent form. Dalton could also consider retirement. Drafting a backup quarterback with starting upside could appeal to Carolina.
Jaxson Dart has NFL-caliber tools with impressive arm strength and velocity. Dart has been uber-dynamic for the Rebels this season, accounting for more than 4,000 total yards of offense and 27 touchdowns as a dual-threat quarterback. If the Panthers aren't totally sold on Young, drafting a mid-round QB would push him in training camp.
Round 5 (No. 161 overall): Chase Lundt, OL, Connecticut
Austin Corbett is scheduled for free agency and that big-money signing never really panned out for the Panthers. Brady Christensen is another pending free agent. Carolina will need to provide head coach Dave Canales with better interior depth at guard and center.
Chase Lundt is playing right tackle at UConn, but we envision him cross-training at guard and maybe even center throughout the pre-draft process. Lundt recently received his invite to this year's Senior Bowl, which should be a big-time showcase for his underrated skill set. He's a rangy athlete who takes terrific angles in the run game.
Round 7 (No. 223 overall): Jackson Hawes, TE, Georgia Tech
Ja'Tavion Sanders is going to be the primary pass-catching tight end for this Panthers offense for a long time. Sanders struggles as an in-line blocker, and that isn't a terrific use of his abilities anyway. Behind him, both Ian Thomas and Tommy Tremble are scheduled to reach free agency this offseason.
Jackson Hawes may be college football's best in-line blocking tight end. With Jonathon Brooks and Chuba Hubbard signed long-term in Carolina, the Panthers will be a run-first offense for the foreseeable future. Canales could certainly utilize Hawes' blocking acumen next season.
Round 7 (No. 231 overall): Tonka Hemingway, DT, South Carolina
The Panthers are running versatile fronts. A'Shawn Robinson, LaBryan Ray, and Shy Tuttle have given Evero quality snaps since Derrick Brown's season-ending injury. Defensive line depth is key to Evero's ability to run his preferred personnel groupings.
South Carolina's Tonka Hemingway is lengthy and versatile. Hemingway is an experienced defender with a massive pro-ready frame. Evero would certainly find a role for the Gamecock standout in his defensive front.
