The Carolina Panthers have the eighth pick in the 2025 NFL Draft when Round 1 begins April 24 in Green Bay. The Panthers own nine total picks in the seven-round draft.
Panthers’ draft picks
| ROUND | PICK | OVERALL | NOTES |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
8 |
8 |
|
|
2 |
25 |
57 |
From Rams |
|
3 |
10 |
74 |
|
|
4 |
9 |
111 |
|
|
4 |
12 |
114 |
From Cowboys |
|
5 |
2 |
140 |
From Giants |
|
5 |
8 |
146 |
|
|
5 |
25 |
163 |
From Ravens |
|
7 |
14 |
230 |
From Cardinals |
Full draft order
Every pick in the seven-round NFL Draft.
NFL Draft details
• Round 1: April 24, 8 p.m. ET
• Rounds 2-3: April 25, 7 p.m. ET
• Rounds 4-7: April 26, noon ET
All rounds will be televised on ESPN/ABC and NFL Network and in Spanish on ESPN Deportes.
About the Panthers
• General manager: Dan Morgan (second season with team as GM)
• Head coach: Dave Canales (second season with team)
• Last year’s record: 5-12
The Panthers have seven consecutive losing seasons and have not made the playoffs since 2017. But a glimmer of optimism showed up last season. Bryce Young, who looked overwhelmed as a rookie and in the first two games of 2024, showed marked improvement after sitting behind Andy Dalton for five games.
Oddly enough, it was a three-game losing streak with Young under center that had a lot of people believing things were heading in the right direction. The Panthers had the Chiefs on the ropes, but lost on a last-second field goal. They lost to the Buccaneers in overtime and nearly beat the Eagles in Philly but rookie Xavier Legette couldn’t hold onto a deep toss from Young that would have been a touchdown in the game’s final minute.
The goal now is improving the defense, which was historically bad last season.
Scouting the decision-makers
Where Matt Rhule had some sway in Carolina’s draft room (see: Alabama long snapper Thomas Fletcher), Dave Canales seems fine providing input but letting GM Dan Morgan make the final call. “Alignment” was a big buzz word when Morgan and Canales were hired, and the two former Seattle colleagues appear to have a good give-and-take.
Panthers’ key free-agent signings
• DT Bobby Brown III: Three years, $21 million (incentives up to $27 million)
• RB Rico Dowdle: One year, up to $6.25 million deal
• OLB Pat Jones II: Two years, up to $20 million deal
• S Tre’von Moehrig: Three years, $51 million deal
• DT Tershawn Wharton: Three years, $45 million (incentives up to $54 million)
Panthers’ key positions of need
Edge rusher: The Panthers have Jadeveon Clowney (5 1/2 sacks in 14 games) and D.J. Wonnum (4 sacks in eight games) back and added Pat Jones (7 sacks in 15 games) from Minnesota in free agency. But the position definitely will be on the radar when Carolina makes its pick at No. 8. Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker — both out of Georgia — have been mocked to the Panthers in the past month.
Safety: The Panthers signed former Las Vegas Raiders safety Tre’Von Moehrig in free agency and only have three on the roster. As they remake their entire safeties group, expect Morgan to be on the lookout for a ballhawking safety in the draft to complement Moehrig, who excels making plays in the box. Safeties aren’t often selected in the top 10, so if the Panthers want one in the first round, they’ll likely trade back to make it happen.
Wide receiver: Morgan has been intent on improving the defense, and while most signs point to the Panthers taking a defensive player at No. 8, getting Young another playmaker is not off the table. There could be intriguing options when they’re on the clock. With 34-year-old Adam Thielen, along with second-year players Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker, and veteran David Moore, Carolina has a solid group, but expect the Panthers to add a receiver at some point during the draft.
Panthers’ draft analysis
Will Derek Carr’s shoulder impact Panthers’ draft? What could they get for No. 8 pick?
Panthers takeaways: Can Xavier Legette be that top-tier WR? Are they considering OT at 8?
With Tetairoa McMillan set to visit, are Panthers looking to give Bryce Young more help?
Panthers big board 2.0: 31 targets at need positions over first 2 days of NFL Draft
Carolina Panthers roster reset: Where they’re in good shape and where help is needed
The Athletic’s latest mock drafts
April 16: Dane Brugler’s predicts all 257 picks
Dane gives the Panthers an edge in Round 1
April 7: Nick Baumgardner’s 3-round mock
A pass catcher for Bryce Young? Nick takes WR with eighth pick.
April 2: Bruce Feldman’s mock draft
Bruce has Panthers taking a Georgia edge rusher in Round 1.
March 24: Ben Standig’s mock draft
Ben sends Georgia LB/edge Jalon Walker to Carolina at No. 8.
March 20: Beat writer mock draft 2.0
Joe Person predicts Georgia edge Mykel Williams to the Panthers.
March 10: Nick Baumgardner’s 3-round mock draft
Nick focuses on defense with Carolina’s first three picks.
March 6: Panthers 7-round mock draft 2.0
Joe predicts Mason Graham to the Panthers in Round 1.
March 4: Dane Brugler mock draft
Dane sticks to edge rusher and gives the Panthers Shemar Stewart.
(Photo of Jalon Walker: Sean M. Haffey / Imagn Images)