A handful of prospects that fit exactly what the Panthers should be looking for during the final rounds of the 2025 NFL Draft
After a number of trades over the past couple of years, the Carolina Panthers have a heaping 6 picks at their disposal for the final day of the draft. Whatever they do with these picks will make or break the quality of the Panthers draft class and the roster’s depth going forward.
This week I’ve been writing about the players who make the most sense for the Panthers in each day of the draft – today we take on Day 3. I’m always looking for some great sleepers in the draft, so if you have a few of your own to watch out for leave them in the comments!
(Note: consensus ranks pulled from the Consensus Big Board on NFL Mock Draft Database)
Round Four
Jamaree Caldwell | Defensive Tackle | Oregon | 6’2 332 lbs | Consensus Rank: 124
Caldwell is stocky but surprisingly athletic considering his weight. His arms are a bit shorter than you would like and he didn’t test amazingly well in athletic drills which could contribute to a fall to the fourth round. An excellent run defender, he also shows some potential to rush the passer with including 7 sacks over the last two years and a 9.3% pass rush win rate
Why he fits: Caldwell would immediately be a strong rotational and versatile interior defender that could join Bobby Brown III and Derrick Brown to reinforce the depth on the defensive line. Given how historically poor the Panthers were against the run in 2024, they can’t afford to go another season with no depth or ability to rotate.
Nohl Williams | Cornerback | California | 6’0 199 lbs | Consensus Rank: 119
The first thing that stands out about Williams is his elite ball production, stacking up 7 interceptions and 10 forced incompletions in his final collegiate season. He doesn’t have elite physical measurables or athleticism which could leave him available for the Panthers picks at 111 or 114.
Why he fits: Williams would immediately provide much needed playmaking opposite Jaycee Horn and has the mentality plus strength to hold up versus the run. Williams would be the ideal back-up cornerback in Evero’s cover 3 heavy scheme with starting potential in case of emergency.
Round Five
Teddye Buchanan | Linebacker | California | 6’2 233 lbs | Consensus Rank: 164
Besides having an elite last name, Buchanan is one of the elite athletes in this linebacker class with a 9.63 Relative Athletic Score. His instincts are not great and he is a little undersized, but he plays with a motor and his athleticism shows when he’s playing in man and zone coverage.
Why he fits: Buchanan is a developmental athlete that plays fast and would be an immediate contributor on special teams. If all the investments on the defensive line can keep him clean in the run game early in his career, he’d could eventually be productive on all 4 downs.
Jarquez Hunter | Running back | Auburn | 5’10 209 lbs | Consensus Rank: 169
Hunter is another battering ram of a running back who embraces contact but also had 142.5 elusive rating – a number that is above the 90th percentile last season. His size is the obvious red flag, but otherwise he has the potential to be an all-around back in the NFL but more likely just the first two downs.
Why he fits: The first line on his NFL.com scouting report is “known for his character and work ethic” which aligns well with Dan Morgan’s ‘dog’ fascination. Hunter would be excellent back-up to Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle that get’s the job done. He also has the return experience to replace what Raheem Blackshear provided the team with in 2024.
Round Six
Que Robinson | Edge | Alabama | 6’4 243 lbs | Consensus Rank: 181
Robinson projects to be a rotational pass rusher in the NFL that shows traits on tape but is recovering from an elbow injury so there are no athletic testing so far. Robinson was a four-core special teamer for much of his college career while also throwing in 108 pass rush snaps. In those, he had an astronomically high 24.0% pass rush win rate, racking up 3 sacks, 6 hits and 10 hurries.
Why he fits: In the 6th round there really isn’t much more you can ask for than a high-traits pass rusher that plays on every special teams unit.
O’Donnell Fortune | Cornerback | South Carolina | 6’1 185 lbs | Consensus Rank: 211
Fortune’s another cover 3 zone cornerback who has shown ball production but doesn’t have the highest quality athletic traits to work with. Despite this, in 732 defensive snaps he recorded a 86.0 defensive grade including a 90.2 coverage grade.
Why he fits: A zone coverage corner that has the length and experience along with interception production.
Round Seven
Chimere Dike | Wide receiver | Florida | 6’1 196 lbs | Consensus Rank: 225
A receiver with 4.34 speed with both kick and punt return experience. Dike had 10 deep catches in 2024 (52nd in the FBS) and had a very respectable 58.3% contested catch rate.
Why he fits: The Panthers offense could use a receiver with Dike’s speed and ability to win deep. His contributions on special teams would definitely help him make the case for a 53 man roster spot since the Panthers don’t currently have a returner on their roster.
Andre Borregales | Kicker | Miami | 5’11 | Consensus Rank: 359
Borregales has a reputation as a clutch kicker and was extremely accurate his last year in college. Made all 62 extra point attempts and only missed 1 kick on 19 attempts.
Why he fits: Well, the Panthers need a kicker. The analytics might say to not take a kicker in the draft, but Borregales spent time working with Panthers Special Teams Assistant Coach Daren Bates who was the Special Teams Coordinator at the Shrine Bowl. If he made an impression, the Panthers might take the swing.