Panthers Day 3 selections: Team fit and projections

How the new additions are going to fit into the rest of the roster

With the 3rd and final day of the 2025 NFL Draft reaching it’s end yesterday, the Carolina Panthers incoming draft class has now been finalized. Let’s take a look at where all the guys selected in Round 4 and beyond fit onto the team and how they project going forward.

No. 114 | Trevor Etienne | RB | Georgia

Continuing a trend that has persisted for Dan Morgan and Dave Canales’ since their time with the Seattle Seahawks, the Carolina Panthers selected a running back in the NFL Draft. Etienne brings a new element to the backfield that wasn’t there previously. Etienne has great burst and vision for the zone running game. With Rico Dowdle on a 1 year contract, he should provide another consistent face to the room and insurance for last year’s Round 2 pick Jonathon Brooks, who’s coming off a second ACL tear and surgical repair in as many years.

Interesting stat: Etienne had an elite zone rushing grade of 88.1, according to PFF.

Role in a sentence: Etienne’s a change of pace back with upside in the receiving game and should immediately take over kick return responsibilities.

No. 122 | Lathan Ransom | S | Ohio State

The Panthers needed a safety and decided to stick to their current archetype of physical but versatile safeties that bring their A-game versus the run. He shouldn’t be asked to occupy the single high, post safety very often. Only an average athlete, Ransom more than makes up for it with toughness, tenacity and instincts to attack downhill at the right time and pursuit angle.

Interesting stat: Ransom had the second highest run defense grade of any player (not just safety) in the 2025 NFL Draft last year, with a whopping 93.7 grade.

Role in a sentence: Second string safety with the same profile as current start Tre’Von Moehrig; a physical presence in the run game with the coverage chops to match up against tight ends and added value as a four-core special teamer.

No. 140 | Cam Jackson | DT | Florida

Jackson is a 6’6, 342 lb behemoth that looks built in a lab to clog up A-gaps. Despite his height, his pad level stays low and his eyes stay up to react to the ball carrier. He’s able to stack and shed lineman to disrupt running plays at an ideal consistency, making him one of the best run defending lineman in the draft. On early downs, look for Jackson to take up the nose spot while Derrick Brown, A’Shawn Robinson and/or Bobby Brown shift out to the defensive end spots to build a brick wall versus the run.

Interesting stat: Jackson’s 9.3% run-stop rate in 2024 ranked above the 90th percentile among FBS defenders.

Role in a sentence: Towering rotational nose tackle that will consistently eat up two blocks against the run, but isn’t ready to contribute as a pass rusher immediately.

No. 163 | Mitchell Evans | TE | Notre Dame

Evans is an ideally built tight end at 6’5, 253 lbs from a program notorious for pumping out quality players at the position. Evans has average athleticism but plays strong and aggressive as both a blocker and receiver. Evans is a classic Y tight end whose playing time likely wouldn’t affect incumbents Ja’Tavion Sanders or Tommy Tremble’s snap count too much.

Interesting stat: Evans’ 8 contested catches were the 8th most among tight ends last year including a dominant contested catch win rate of 72.7%, which is in the 90th percentile

Role in a sentence: Immediate TE3 on the roster (with TE2 upside) that will play in-line but offers upside as pass catcher, especially in contested situations.

No. 208 | Jimmy Horn Jr. | WR | Colorado

Horn was an undersized (5’8 174 lbs), slot-only receiver for the Buffalos. He’s plenty fast, catches the ball cleanly and in stride to give himself opportunities to maximize yards after catch. He can be dynamic in a specific role but doesn’t offer much versatility or tackle breaking ability in the NFL.

Interesting stat: Horn reached the highest top speed in the gauntlet drill at the NFL Combine, at 19.81 mph.

Role in a sentence: Will be fighting for a roster spot at the bottom of the depth chart but offers a smooth, speed element to the receiving corps and as a returner on special teams.