13 years ago, the Carolina Panthers selected Boston College linebacker Luke Kuechly with the ninth overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft. Little did many know, they’d end up with a future Defensive Player of the Year, five-time first-team All-Pro and a near-first-ballot Hall of Famer.
This year, the Panthers will be in a very similar position—as they’re slated to choose from the 2025 draft’s eighth overall slot. And while the odds would dictate that they won’t find themselves another Luke Kuechly, the team still has a chance to grab themselves one heck of a player.
Kuechly recently chatted with Sports Lens editor DJ Siddiqi, who asked the former ‘backer and current Panthers radio analyst for his thoughts on this spring’s first-round pick.
”You have to find an impact player that helps you out,” Kuechly replied. “Do we go defense? There’s some good edge rushers, there’s a couple of inside guys that are really good. Do we try to find Bryce more playmakers? I think sitting there at eight, we’re going to have some really good opportunities. I’m looking forward to seeing what we do.”
But does Kuechly have any specific “impact” players in mind?
He was then asked who he thinks Carolina should take.
”I’m a defensive guy, love pass rushers and I love big inside defensive linemen,” he stated. “There’s a guy in Michigan, Mason Graham, he’s a stud. Abdul Carter, the two guys at Georgia, they’re all over the place. We just gotta go pick the right one.”
Considering the Panthers just set a new single-season record for most points allowed, investing that pick into an impact defender certainly makes sense.
Unfortunately for Carolina, Graham and Carter—who are widely considered to be two of the very top talents of the class—seem unlikely to fall to them.
The Panthers should, however, be in play for those Georgia guys—whether it’s edge rusher Mykel Williams, linebacker Jalon Walker or even safety Malaki Starks.
As for now, we’ll wait for these prospects to show everyone what they have from the scouting combine in less than two weeks.