Reviewing the Carolina Panthers 2025 draft
In a staggering twist, the Carolina Panthers opted to strengthen their offense with the eighth overall pick instead of a defensive player like Jalon Walker. Guess they messed up? Not necessarily. The Panthers 2025 draft class has been getting ‘A’ grades from many draft analysts.
Day 1 – Wide receiver 1
At 6’5”, 5-star recruit Tetairoa McMillan had a combined 3,423 receiving yards – setting a new school record – with 26 touchdowns in three years. Following Xavier Legette in 2024, a wide receiver was chosen in the first round for the second consecutive year.
While defense may have been a glaring need for Carolina, the offense was not to be neglected. Massive strides were made in 2024, but progress still needs to be made. A true X receiver was still missing and the chance of getting one later in the draft was unlikely.
Day 2 – Double down defense
With a pass rusher being the greatest need, Carolina doubled down on Day 2. They traded up six places in the second round and eight in the third, respectively. By doing so they took edge pairing Nic Scourton from Texas A&M 51st overall and Princely Umanmielen from Mississippi 77th overall. Both feel like great value picks and worth the trade up. Realistically they both could have been picked in the rounds prior. They are both different style edge rushers that can complement each other well in Carolina’s system.
Day 3 – Filling holes
Trevor Etienne, running back from Georgia at pick 114 in the fourth round came as a surprise. It is not shocking a running back was taken – what is stunning, is it happened in the fourth round, with bigger needs still unmet. While the running back room looks good for now, the future is uncertain. Etienne provides good third down cover and could thrive early in his career as a returner.
Eight picks later at 122, a serious need was filled. A safety, National Championship winning, Lathan Ransom from Ohio State. Ransom is a strong tackler and offers support in the run game as well as covering tight ends well and passes to the middle of the field.
The first of two fifth-round picks were used on defensive tackle Cam Jackson, 140th overall from Florida. A true nose tackle was badly missing in Carolina last year as they allowed record-breaking numbers, particularly against the run. At 6’6” 328lbs, Jackson has incredible traits as a powerful and disruptive run stopper.
Back to offense to finish the draft
Mitchell Evans, tight end from Notre Dame was selected 163rd overall as another piece for the offense. Evans is a 6’5” tight end with good hands and a tendency to make spectacular catches. He led Notre Dame in receptions for two years running, in 2023 and 2024, despite an ACL tear in 2023 disrupting both seasons. He will most likely be used as a blocker to complement pass-catching tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, selected in the fourth-round last year.
The final pick of the draft was Jimmy Horn Jr., wide receiver from Colorado 208th overall in the sixth round. Horn is small with blistering speed. On the opposite height spectrum to McMillan and Legette, Horn has skilful hands and makes impressive catches in traffic. He will be best used in the slot, to show off his run after catch ability and can be used on offense for gadget plays. He will likely thrive in the return game.
Draft success?
In all, I agree that the 2025 draft deserves an ‘A’ grade. The omission of a cornerback was a surprise, and a fourth round running back felt unnecessary when a speedster like Brashard Smith from SMU went 228th overall in the seventh round.
We improved the offense by adding a true number one receiver as well as a speedy receiver and another solid tight end. The defense has certainly improved up front, just as General Manager Dan Morgan and Head Coach Dave Canales wanted. Two Day 2 pass rushers and a big defensive tackle make the defensive line more attractive and fearful. A good safety being added to an extremely shallow group is a very welcomed addition.
Some further offseason moves at cornerback and linebacker before Week 1, and the Panthers roster could be ready to showcase great potential in 2025.
