For our final mock draft for the 2025 NFL Draft, we look at only what the Panthers will do with their picks.
The last several CSR Mock Drafts have gone through at least the entire first round and what might happen starting Thursday night. For this one, though, I wanted to go through a Carolina Panthers only mock draft using Pro Football and Sports Network’s mock draft simulator. Yes, PFF’s is better in a lot of ways, but I didn’t want to pay for the ability to make trades and whatnot. Anyway, let’s see how the draft shook out.
Round 1
Sitting at the 8th pick and willing to move down according to GM Dan Morgan, the Panthers got a phone call from the Pittsburgh Steelers to trade up to 8th overall to take Shedeur Sanders. Originally offering picks 21, 83, and first rounder next year, I finagled an extra fourth rounder this year (123). Most draft trade value charts have this as a major win for the Panthers, even if the Steelers are picking in the 20s again next year.
I almost went with Derrick Harmon, the DT out of Oregon at 21, but decided to go with Alabama do-it-all linebacker Jihaad Campbell. I felt like he provided quite a bit of value this late in the round. He can immediately step in as a starting linebacker and has shown the ability to rush the passer when blitzing as well. And no, Malaki Starks was not available, so calm down.
Round 2
Sticking at 57, many of my second round targets were taken earlier in the round. However, one player I did not expect to fall this far was Ohio State DT Tyliek Williams. After passing on a DT in the first round, I jumped on taking the athletic disruptive force who has the versatility to line up in any of the down lineman positions in Ejiro Evero’s 3-4 defense.
Round 3
The Bears made an interesting proposition in the third, offering the 75th pick and pick 148 in the fifth round for 74 and next year’s sixth rounder. Dropping one spot to turn next year’s sixth into a fifth in this year’s incredibly deep draft was a no brainer for me. The Bears took Ollie Gordon II with that pick.
The Bears going runningback allowed me to take the guy I would have taken anyway before trading back: Texas S Andrew Mukuba. He’s a little undersized, but could immediately be the deep safety playing centerfield while Tre’von Moehrig makes plays in the box.
Using the third rounder picked up from the Steelers (pick 83), I added some versatile depth to the offensive line by taking the falling Purdue OT Marcus Mbow. Mbow will likely be more of an interior lineman in the NFL, but I view him as a potential Brady Christensen type of player who could be a solid guard and serviceable tackle when necessary.
Round 4
Despite some tantalizing trade offers for pick 111, I didn’t want to risk missing out on one of the edge rushers in this tier. The last player in this particular tier of edge rushers in my opinion was Louisville EDGE Ashton Gillotte. He was incredibly productive in college, which Dan Morgan has said is important in the scouting process. Though he is a little undersized, he has the tools to produce in the NFL as well.
At pick 114, I added some desperately needed speed to the offense in the form of Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten. He has had issues with putting the ball on the turf, but his raw speed and athleticism are undeniable. Whether it be as a change of pace back and/or one of the kickoff returners, Tuten would add a dude that the other team has to be wary of every time he touches the ball.
Pick 123, which I got from the Steelers trade, was traded again. The Rams offered to take 123 and 230 in exchange for 127 and 190. Dropping four spots at this stage of the Draft to move up 40 spots later was a good enough deal for me. I then used the 127th pick to take Miami (FL) EDGE Tyler Baron. Baron has more of the size profile Evero prefers in his edge defenders than Gillotte does, but he does need to refine his technique a bit. Still, a good rotational pass rusher is always welcome.
Round 5
At this point, I had four picks in the fifth round, including three just in the 140s. At pick 140, I went with Ole Miss DT JJ Pegues. I think he’s slightly underrated as a defensive tackle, and he has quite a few snaps as a fullback. He could be a rotational piece on the line that gives guys like Derrick Brown and A’Shawn Robinson a breather from time to time.
I decided to go with the uber athletic Cal LB Teddye Buchanon at pick 146. He needs to be more consistent to be a true linebacker in the NFL, but his combination of size, speed, and explosiveness will make him a demon on special teams.
Just two picks later, I took an underrated pass rusher. Alabama EDGE Que Robinson had to wait his turn in college, playing behind guys like Will Anderson Jr. When he finally got his chance, he got hurt. Still, in that small sample size, he showed quite a bit of disruptive ability against the run and the pass.
The final fifth rounder I had was 163. I used that pick on Minnesota CB Justin Walley. Despite just average size and length, his speed allows him to stick with receivers downfield. He could be a nice depth piece at corner or even push Chau Smith-Wade for the nickel slot.
Sixth Round
The final pick of the draft that I had after the flurry of trades was pick 190 in the sixth round. I felt like I hit all the hotspots in terms of picks so far, so I took Maryland WR Kaden Prather. He has the size and agility to be an X receiver. He doesn’t have the top end speed to threaten defenses deep, but lining him up at X would allow Legette, Thielen, and Coker to move to their more natural spots in the formation.
Recap
I parlayed a couple trades into some quality potential starters and depth pieces all across the team, plus an extra first round pick in 2026. Some of the picks are risky, but I felt like I had enough high floor guys to take chances on other guys’ ceilings. What do you think Panthers fans? Take the poll and sound off in the comments!