By Thomas Bray
January 7, 2025
Photo: Kevin Abele (Icon Sportswire) / AP
After 18 long weeks, the Carolina Panthers’ season has come to an end. Dave Canales’ first season as head coach was a rollercoaster, but one thing remained constant: the defense — or, more accurately, the lack of it.
Last offseason, Carolina saw a few key departures on defense, with Brian Burns traded to the New York Giants and Frankie Luvu signing with the Washington Commanders. Losing the two most productive pass rushers and leading tackler in one offseason definitely had its effects.
The injury bug certainly didn’t help things. In Week 1, Derrick Brown was ruled out for the season after suffering a meniscus injury. A few weeks later in Week 4, Shaq Thompson joined him after tearing his Achilles. Ejiro Evero clearly missed Brown’s dominance up front and Thompson’s invaluable leadership. The Panthers allowed over 3,000 rushing yards and gave up a league-record 534 points this season, and their absence played a major role in that.
With that in mind heading into the offseason, let’s take a look at some of the players Dan Morgan and company could target in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Round 1: Pick 8
Carolina ranked near the bottom of the league in sacks and opposing team passer rating in 2024, and they struggled to disrupt offenses.
They’ll have an opportunity to address that on the first night of the draft. Michigan’s Mason Graham or Penn State’s Abdul Carter may be available after quarterback-needy teams jump up to take their guy.
Graham, a 2024 consensus All-American, is a defensive lineman with the flexibility to line up anywhere across the line in Evero’s 3-4 defensive scheme. Carolina allowed a league-worst 5.2 yards per carry this past season and Graham’s addition to their front seven, along with the return of Brown, could transform the run defense.
The other consensus All-American from Penn State would ideally bolster the Panthers’ pass rush immediately. In his first full season as a defensive end, Carter racked up 11 sacks and proved just how dominant he can be with more time on the edge. Even though Carter’s usage reflected that of a pass-rush specialist at times in University Park, teams interested in him will certainly want him to develop into a three-down player.
It’s safe to say Graham offers the higher floor but watching No. 11 in blue and white dominate with speed and physicality draws immediate comparisons to Micah Parsons.
While it’s unlikely both players will still be on the board at eight, if they are, Morgan will face a tough decision — balancing day-one impact versus long-term potential with their first pick. One player isn’t solving the problems Carolina’s defense dealt with this past season, but adding one of the best linemen or pass rushers in the draft could certainly help.
If Graham and Carter are off the board, Carolina may have to settle for Tetairoa McMillan — though settling might undersell his value. McMillan is a versatile, reliable target who can anchor a passing game. At 6-foot-5, his size creates immediate problems for nickel defenders, who often lack the size to battle him at the catch point.
Adding to the challenge, McMillan’s fluidity as a route runner allows him to separate with the best receivers in this class. His ability to win from the slot or outside creates mismatches across the defense, a skill that will carry over to the next level.
If the Panthers’ defense wasn’t historically poor, they’d have the flexibility to prioritize a pass catcher like McMillan with their first pick.
Round 2
If Carolina is fortunate enough to land Graham or McMillan in round one, drafting one of the best pass rushers available would make sense.
In this case, it’s Donovan Ezeiruaku. The Boston College edge defender was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year this past season and was also a consensus All-American. Ezeiruaku is a standout outside linebacker, tailor-made for a 3-4 defense where his length, pass rush prowess, and relentless motor can excel. Ezeiruaku showcases great bend and change of direction on tape, and his 16.5 sacks in 2024 reflect that.
The big question for Ezeiruaku is whether (given his size) he can become a reliable run defender. Even if the answer is no, the Panthers could draft him with the plan to use him as a pass-rush specialist early on, with the hope that he develops into a three-down player. Potentially finding a double-digit sack guy in the second round is how you accelerate a rebuild and reshape a defense.
If the front office is hesitant about adding a pass rusher who may not be immediately formidable against the run, they could opt for a safer interior pick. Georgia’s Nazir Stackhouse is a plug-and-play defensive line prospect who would instantly improve Carolina’s run defense. Standing at 6-foot-3 and 320 pounds, the Stone Mountain native has the size and strength to make an immediate impact. While Stackhouse hasn’t flashed as a pass rusher during his time in Athens, pairing him with Brown and A’Shawn Robinson next season could significantly raise the floor of the run defense.
Round 3
The Panthers’ first two picks last season were playmakers on offense — Xavier Legette and Jonathon Brooks. Brooks’ injury robbed fans of a potential game-changer, and while Legette showed glimpses of a number one receiver, the Panthers should keep adding young talent to their offense.
In this case, they’re adding TCU’s Savion Williams, a versatile receiver who can rack up yards after the catch for Bryce Young. The 6-foot-5 pass catcher moves with the fluidity of a much smaller receiver. He doesn’t rely solely on physicality to win reps, and his agility helps him create separation.
Williams is an offensive chess piece who breaks the mold of a traditional wide receiver. With over 50 carries and 60 catches last season, teams that draft him should focus on creating opportunities in space, capitalizing on his versatility in both the running and passing game. His potential as a multi-dimensional player could transform his role in a system, much like Deebo Samuel did in San Francisco.
If the Panthers aren’t enamored with Williams, they could opt for a more proven route runner. Xavier Restrepo was consistently open at Miami. The consensus All-American is an exceptional route runner and was Cam Ward’s go-to guy in high-pressure situations. Restrepo’s production speaks for itself — he finished his career as Miami’s all-time receptions and receiving yards leader. At 5-foot-10 and 197 pounds, he’ll likely line up in the slot, a role where he thrived throughout his college career. Restrepo’s specialty is creating separation, making him a favorite for quarterbacks from day one.
Round 4
Outside of Jaycee Horn, there aren’t many proven commodities in the Panthers secondary, if any. With Mike Jackson set to become a free agent, finding another corner that can be confidently put in press-man situations would be huge for Carolina.
Here, the Panthers find that in Virginia Tech cornerback Dorian Strong. Strong is a long-limbed, physical cornerback with excellent ball skills and a knack for disrupting a receiver’s timing. In 2024, quarterbacks largely avoided his side of the field, but when tested, he delivered, including a two-interception quarter against Boston College.
While he lacks top-end speed to recover on plays, his technique and positioning compensate. His aggressive style sometimes leads to face guarding, which could result in penalties at the next level, but Strong can contribute immediately as a situational corner. He will need technical refinement to become a reliable starter, but he profiles as a day-one depth piece who can handle man-to-man assignments in limited doses and contribute in shell coverage. With development, Strong could become a dependable starting outside corner in both zone-heavy and press-man systems.
A versatile player in the secondary is always a need in a 3-4 defense, and Sebastian Castro fits that billing. The Iowa safety, who played the hybrid Cash position in college, is an elite tackler in open space and consistently makes plays around the line of scrimmage. Castro thrives in both run defense and pass coverage. His ability to come up and make plays at or behind the line is remarkable, and his stature (5-foot-11, 205 pounds) doesn’t limit him in the run game. That physicality and versatility should translate well to the next level.
Round 5
Morgan and his staff are looking for dogs, and the 2025 running back class is full of them. While it’s understandable to question drafting another running back after selecting Brooks last year, the Panthers can’t hinge their draft strategy on a player coming off back-to-back knee surgeries. Additionally, Miles Sanders could be a cap casualty this season, with the Panthers potentially saving $5.2 million if he’s cut before June 1.
While Chuba Hubbard has blossomed into an excellent running back, the Panthers could benefit from adding another physical, north-south back to complement his skill set.
Enter Damien Martinez. At 232 pounds, the Miami running back combines size and short-area quickness to wear down defenses and overwhelm linebackers. While Martinez caught only 17 passes last season, he showed impressive ability when given space on checkdowns. His receiving game needs refinement, but pairing Hubbard and Martinez could give defenses headaches.
If Carolina is confident Brooks will make a full recovery, then they may consider adding a playmaking tight end like Elijah Arroyo to give Young a big receiving target. Another Miami product, Arroyo played both in-line and in the slot. He isn’t an elite blocker by any means, but his explosiveness and sure hands will be welcomed by any team.
If Morgan and company are looking to add depth at tight end, Arroyo’s combination of speed, size, and versatility would provide another weapon for an ascending offense. However, he will need to continue developing his blocking technique and run-after-catch skills to be an effective every-down player.
The Carolina Panthers have nine draft picks this season and are likely to leverage them to maneuver and target their preferred prospects. Regardless of how many players they pick, the defense was abysmal last season, and the draft will be a crucial avenue for improvement.
The 2025 NFL draft will take place April 24-26 at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
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