Exploring Carolina’s options at No. 8, or in a trade-back scenario
CHARLOTTE, N.C. β When Panthers GM Dan Morgan spoke last week ahead of the NFL Draft, and you got the feeling, he’s more than willing to trade the No. 8 overall pick.
“Maybe a team really loves a guy. We’ll be waiting if somebody wants to come up,” Morgan told the Panthers beat reporters.
But while Carolina might be willing to move off the No. 8 spot, they’ll almost certainly make a selection during Thursday night’s first round.
After trading up to join last year’s first round, and select receiver Xavier Legette, the Panthers will very likely make a pick on night one for the fourteenth-straight year.
With several possible scenarios, here are some likely first-round picks for the Panthers on Thursday night.
No. 8 is great
Sometimes the right choice is the most obvious choice. That could be the case at No. 8 if either of these two players are available.
DT MASON GRAHAM, MICHIGAN
The 6-foot-3, 296-pound interior defensive lineman would make for a dream duo up front next to Panthers Pro Bowler Derrick Brown.
It would also go a long way towards fixing the Panthers rough run defense in 2024, although free-agent addition Bobby Brown will certainly help with that.
Graham was first-team Associated Press All-American and First-team All-Big Ten.
Walker has been the player most connected to Carolina the last few weeks.
He’s considered a hybrid, who can play all three linebacker positions, but Morgan told the media last week the Panthers would put him at outside linebacker.
The Salisbury, NC native and son of former Catawba College coach, Curtis Walker, obviously impressed the Panthers with his characters, and impressed fans with his knowledge of all-time franchise linebackers Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly.
Most importantly, he could bring an immediate impact to a defense that forced just 17 turnovers in 2024.
Walker has a nose foro the big play, leading the Bulldogs with 10.5 tackles for loss, and was tied for the team lead with 6.5 sacks.Β
He won the Butkus Award as the nation’s top linebacker.
TRADE BACK
At one point during his media session, Morgan mentioned the Panthers being “stuck” at eight, but then clarified they would pick a player they like there. But the Panthers sure seem comfortable with the idea of trading back, still selecting a high-impact defensive player, and adding some picks. As it stands, they pick No. 8, and then have a long wait to No. 57. Here are some players they could find if a teamΒ wants to trade up.
MYKEL WILLIAMS, EDGE, GEORGIA
To be honest, if the Panthers like Williams so much, they may pick him at No. 8.
At 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, Williams is more of a prototype pass rusher than his teammate, Walker. He fought through an ankle injury in 2024, and still had 8.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks and two forced fumbles.
MIKE GREEN, EDGE, MARSHALL
Green led FBS with 17 sacks and was second with 22.5 tackles for loss, and also forced three fumbles. Prior to Marshall, Green played in the ACC for Virginia.
However, there are character concerns for Green, who was twice accused of sexual assault, once in high school and once at Virginia.Β
Green recently denied the allegations.
SHEMAR STEWART, EDGE, TEXAS A&M
Stewart looks the part, at 6-foot-5, 267 pounds. But he lacks in production.
In four college seasons, he collected just 4.5 sacks.
In his media session, Morgan indicated the Panthers aren’t so interested in players who did not produce in college.
DONOVAN EZEIRUAKU, EDGE, BOSTON COLLEGE
Ezeiruaku isn’t the biggest for the position at 6-foot-2, 248 pounds, but he made up for it with his production. With the Eagles he was second in FBS with 16.5 sacks and third with 20.5 tackles for loss. He also had three forced fumbles.
WALTER NOLEN, DT, MISSISSIPPI
This would involve Carolina trading way back, but Nolen is picking up some steam. Nolen had a phenomenal season for the Rebels, making first-team All-SEC and first-team AP All-American. He led Ole Miss with 14 tackles for loss, picked up 6.5 sacks and made 48 tackles. Nolen was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, given yearly to the nation’s top offensive or defensive lineman.
TRADE WAY BACK FOR DEFENSIVE BACK
Carolina doesn’t just need help at the front of the defense. The Panthers safety room is being revamped.Β
Gone are veterans Xavier Woods and Jordan Fuller. Carolina picked up Tre’von Moehrig in free agency, and he’s a solid starter. But the team could pick up another in Thursday’s first round, likely after a trade back. And while the team is set at cornerback for 2025 with Jaycee Horn on a long-term deal, and Mike Jackson back for another season, they could always use talent there for the long term opposite Horn.
Barron was a first-team AP All-American for the Longhorns, and first-team All-SEC. Adding to his accolades, he won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back and was a finalist for the Bronco Nagurski Award, handed out every year in Charlotte for the nation’s top defensive player. He had five interceptions in 2024, which was tied for fourth, nationally.
WILL JOHNSON, CB, MICHIGAN
Johnson tied the Wolverines program record with two interceptions returned for touchdowns in 2024. He does have injury concerns after missing the second half of the season with a foot injury. He was first-team All-Big Ten in 2023.
NICK EMMANWORI, S, SOUTH CAROLINA
The Irmo native was a first-team AP All-American and first-team All-SEC in 2024, leading the Gamecocks with 88 tackles, picking off four passes (returning two for scores). Emmanwori ran a 4.38, 40-yard dash on the NFL Combine, and has rare size for the position at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds.
MALAKI STARKS, S, GEORGIA
Starks led the vaunted Bulldogs defense in tackles with 77. He tallied six interceptions in three seasons in Athens, and was first-team AP All-American and SEC in 2023, second team in 2024.
FUN TO TALK ABOUT
After focusing on the offense, and seeing improvement, in 2025, it’s unlikely Carolina goes for a pass catcher in the first round. But it’s fun to discuss!
TYLER WARREN, TE, PENN STATE
Everyone is looking for the next Brock Bowers. Warren may be it after a phenomenal season in Happy Valley. He was a tight end that finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting, racking up 104 catches and 1,233 yards. At 6-foot-5, 256 pounds, he’d be a heck of a target for Bryce Young.
TETAIROA MCMILLAN, WR, ARIZONA
Another big target for Bryce Young if the Panthers stray from defense in Round 1 (unlikely). McMillan, 6-foot-4, 219 pounds, was third in FBS with 1,319 receiving yards at 15.7 yards per reception. He set the Wildcats school record with 3,423 career receiving yards and was First-Team AP All-American this year.
PROTECTING BRYCE YOUNG
While the Panthers feel good about their offensive tackles for 2025, both Ickey Ekwonu and Taylor Moton face uncertain futures with Carolina. Ekwonu improved in year two on the left side, but the team has yet to pick up his fifth-year option. Moton has been a stalwart for nearly a decade with the franchise on the right side, but will play out the final year of his contract. While unlikely, the Panthers could be swayed to pick up the future at the position in Round 1.
ARMAND MEMBOU, OT, MISSOURI
Second-Team All-SEC for the Tigers playing right tackle. Is considered a shorter tackle, despite standing 6-foot-4, and weighing 332 pounds.
KELVIN BANKS JR., OT, TEXAS
Drafting Banks would probably mean trading back, but he was a productive and reliable player in Austin starting as a freshman on the left side. In his junior season last year, he was first-team AP All-American and won the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy.
