Mock Draft
12/10/24
8 min read
Carolina Panthers 2025 7-Round NFL Mock Draft: Rebuilding a Struggling Defense
The Carolina Panthers have shown signs of life in recent weeks, giving them a path forward to rebuilding their franchise.
Former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young has actually lived up to his draft billing in recent weeks, suggesting that the franchise could try to build around the former Heisman Trophy winner instead of resetting the clock with another first-round quarterback. Meanwhile, young receivers like Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker have emerged as solid offensive weapons who would develop alongside Young.
However, there are still plenty of holes on this roster, which could be filled by hitting on a handful of picks in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Panthers 2025 NFL Mock Draft
You better be careful throwing to Will Johnson's side of the field. He was No. 1 on the top-50 for a reason.
— Dane Brugler (@dpbrugler) September 21, 2024
Another pick-6 for #2. Read it the entire way. pic.twitter.com/dgSDwq8xtU
Round 1, 4th Overall
Pick: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan 
Unless the top three picks go for quarterbacks, it's unlikely that the Carolina Panthers will land Travis Hunter. However, Michigan corner Will Johnson is an awfully ideal consolation prize.
Johnson has consistently drawn comparisons to Patrick Surtain II, and for good reason. While he's been hurt for a good chunk of 2024, the Michigan cornerback prospect has allowed zero touchdowns with six interceptions when targeted during the last two seasons.
At 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds, Johnson has the ideal frame, athletic ability, play speed, fluidity, and instincts to thrive as a cornerback at the NFL level. He'd be an ideal fit with Jaycee Horn to form one of the league's most exciting young cornerback duos.
Will Johnson's Full Scouting Report, Pro Comp
Round 2, 50th Overall
Pick: Donovan Ezeiruaku, EDGE, Boston College
After bolstering their secondary, the Panthers can double up on defense by taking a pass-rush specialist. They currently rank 31st in pass rush win rate and desperately need more help getting after the quarterback after moving on from Brian Burns.
Donovan Ezeiruaku is a tick undersized at 247 pounds, but he's one of the most efficient and effective pass rushers in college football. He's half a sack off of the FBS lead with 16.5 sacks on the year, to go along with 61 pressures.
What makes Ezeiruaku so deadly is his short-area quickness, burst off of the snap, and bend to tighten his path to the quarterback. He can counter with inside moves and also plays with good enough technique to hold his own against the run, giving him three-down potential early in his NFL career.
That's the kind of instant contributor the Panthers need at EDGE — someone who could quickly get to the quarterback as a rookie.
Donvan Ezeiruaku's Full Scouting Report, Pro Comp
Ajani Cornelius has some nasty in him in the run game, road grader. Powerful hands and excellent grip strength in pass protection. Wouldn't be surprised if he gets some looks at OG and OT in Mobile. https://t.co/3nDpAqZdIK pic.twitter.com/GWNzSxOAK1
— Devin Jackson (@RealD_Jackson) December 4, 2024
Round 3, 72nd Overall
Pick: Ajani Cornelius, OT, Oregon
Taylor Moton is 30 years old and will be in the final year of his contract in 2025. He could also be a cap casualty as a cost-savings measure, but regardless of what Moton's future holds, the Panthers need a backup plan at offensive tackle.
After transferring from Rhode Island, Ajani Cornelius has done a good job of holding down the right tackle spot for Oregon during the last two seasons. During that time, he's allowed just two sacks and 34 pressures on more than 1,000 pass-blocking snaps.
Cornelius has the movement skills and frame to play tackle in the NFL or even kick into guard if the Panthers want to get him experience while sticking with Moton at the right tackle spot.
Round 4, 108th Overall
Pick: Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
The Panthers bolstered their inside linebacker room by drafting Trevin Wallace and signing Josey Jewell last offseason. Still, some depth at the position could be valuable, especially after adding talent at the other two levels of the defense.
Barrett Carter immediately stands out on Clemson's defense as a long, athletic linebacker prospect with sideline-to-sideline speed. His movement skills and post-snap recognition make him a valuable asset in coverage, even if he can get bullied when linemen climb to him at the second level in the run game.
Still, given what the Panthers currently have at ILB, Carter could come in as a rotational linebacker to help in obvious passing downs in coverage while getting acclimated to defending against NFL running offenses.
Kamari Ramsey delivers a HUGE HIT for USC 🤯 pic.twitter.com/AJ1A9LHou7
— Trojan Football ✌️fan (@TrojanFBx) September 28, 2024
Round 4, 113th Overall
Pick: Kamari Ramsey, SAF, USC 
If you haven't noticed the trend yet, the Panthers need to hammer defensive picks to be a competitive football team in 2025. According to FTN Fantasy, the Panthers rank 30th in defensive DVOA and are last against the pass, meaning they need a huge infusion of talent on that side of the ball this offseason.
Kamari Ramsey could be a fun safety prospect in this defense. He already has a ripped, long frame for a safety but still has room to grow at just 200 pounds. He is a thumper when triggering downhill, using good pre- and post-snap processing to snuff out screens and underneath throws to prevent YAC.
Ramsey's biggest area of improvement is the run game, where he needs to show better effort as an alley defender or taking on blocks. However, his instincts and athletic ability could make him a versatile player at the next level.
Kamari Ramsey's Full Scouting Report, Pro Comp
Round 5, 140th Overall
Pick: Jordan James, RB, Oregon
After Jonathon Brooks tore his ACL for the second straight year, the Panthers need to figure out a backup plan behind Chuba Hubbard, at least for the 2025 season.
Jordan James has thrived in Oregon's offense this year. He averaged 5.5 yards per carry for 1,253 yards and 15 touchdowns this season. He brings good vision and contact balance with solid burst once he sees the hole to get to the second level, break an ankle tackle, and generate explosive plays.
Bucky Irving is thriving in Tampa Bay, and James could be the next Oregon running back to find a featured role in an NFL offense next season.
KOBE‼️ The longest TD of his career 🙌
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) November 11, 2023
📺 ESPN pic.twitter.com/2811WqTZJD
Round 5, 144th Overall
Pick: Kobe Hudson, WR, UCF 
Legette and Coker are Carolina's long-term building blocks at receiver. However, once Adam Thielen retires, the Panthers need at least one or two more outlets for Young in the passing game.
Kobe Hudson has been one of the more efficient receivers in college football this year, averaging 2.70 yards per route run. He's hauled in 11 contested catches this season but has also played 20 percent of his snaps in the slot, showing some inside-out versatility.
That's a playmaker worth taking a flier on in the later rounds.
Round 5, 156th Overall
Pick: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
Even after taking Ezeiruaku in the second round, the Panthers should keep adding pass rushers on the edge.
Dani Dennis-Sutton is overshadowed by Abdul Carter at Penn State, but he immediately stands out on tape because of his 6-foot-5, 272-pound frame. He's a solid pass rusher with the size to hold his own against the run.
Dennis-Sutton isn't the most explosive or bendiest pass rusher in this class, but his size and tools could make him a long-term project who could get on the field early in his career on early downs.
Riley Leonard was a man on a mission here 😮💨
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) September 14, 2024
Another TD for the @NDFootball QB 🔥 pic.twitter.com/qVBw8jil2S
Round 7, 220th Overall
Pick: Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
Andy Dalton has been a great veteran mentor for Young, but the Red Rifle won't be playing forever as a 37-year-old. If he retires, the Panthers should go after a backup with some upside in case something were to happen to Young.
Riley Leonard is more polished as a runner than he is a passer at this point in his career. He's electric as a runner, though, rushing for nearly 2,000 yards and 33 touchdowns during his career.
That athletic ability, along with a 6-foot-4 frame, should make Leonard more appealing. However, he's still such a work in progress as a passer, particularly at reading defenses, that he'll have a hard time finding an opportunity to be a starter at the NFL level, at least right away.
Round 7, 232nd Overall
Pick: Jackson Hawes, TE, Georgia Tech
Ja'Tavion Sanders is the tight end of the future for Carolina. However, Sanders is best suited in a pass-catching role. Adding a late-round tight end who can be an effective in-line blocker would be a great way to cap off a strong draft for the Panthers.
Jackson Hawes isn't the best athlete in this TE class, but he might be one of the best blockers. He was a three-year contributor for Yale before transferring to Georgia Tech this past season, where he played a key role in their creative running game.
Hawes is a big body at 6-foot-5 and 260 pounds and has the mentality and play strength to be an effective blocker in the run game.
Jackson Hawes' Full Scouting Report, Pro Comp
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