The NFL Draft provides a golden opportunity for the Carolina Panthers front office to fix the defense.
It should come as no surprise that a team that earned the record for most points allowed in an NFL season while on their way to a top-10 selection in the NFL Draft has a slew of issues. If the Carolina Panthers have any hope of achieving anything worthwhile in 2025 and beyond, they’ll need to address them in a big way.
Thankfully, hope springs eternal in the offseason and with the NFL Combine starting during the final week of February, the Panthers are presented with an opportunity. When they join the rest of the NFL in Indianapolis to feast their eyes upon the newest group of prospects, that may just looking at the key to solving all their problems.
With a compliment of picks spread throughout he draft order, who could the Panthers be targeting across each day of the NFL Draft? Let’s take a look at what issues the Panthers have on the defensive side of the ball and who might be available on each day to fix it.
Issue #1: Run defense
One of the biggest reasons the Panthers run defense was so porous in 2024 was because they were relying on Shy Tuttle to anchor the Defensive Line as a nose tackle most of the year. They shouldn’t make that mistake again.
Day One: Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan
Grant is 6’3, 340lbs but moves like a significantly smaller man. His elite athleticism/size combination gives him an opportunity to become an impact player versus the run. The duo of Grant and a healthy Derrick Brown would pose significant problems for any run game in the NFL.
Day Two: Alfred Collins, DT, Texas
The 6’5, 320lb lineman may not have the athletic upside of Grant, but Collins is as sturdy as they come in the middle of your defensive line. Collins is a high-floor player that can be plugged into your line-up and can be trusted to be where he needs to be when the opposing team tries to pound the rock.
Day Three: Jamaree Caldwell, DT, Oregon
Caldwell’s 6’2, 342lb frame is built to clog the middle of the field. His arm length is on the shorter side and he didn’t have eye-popping production, so he’s currently projected to come off the board early day 3. If that projection holds, Caldwell could be a valuable piece to fix the Panthers run defense woes.
Issue #2: Pass rush production
The Panthers two leading sack-getters in 2024 each had a dismal 5.5 sacks a piece. That’s simply not good enough in today’s NFL – or any other era for that matter.
Day One: Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
While undersized at 6’3 and 251lbs, Green is an electric pass rusher who led the FBS in sacks. Green finished the season with a 90.9 true pass set rush grade and a 20.2% pass rush win rate, according to PFF. It’s hard to argue against Green’s production, skillset and mentality on the field.
Day Two: Princely Umanmielen, Edge, Mississippi
Umanmielen is bigger than Green at 6’4 and 255lbs, but projects as more of a designated pass rusher since he did not have the same impact versus the run. Still, Umanmielen’s production as a rusher is easily worth the selection on Day 2. He had 11 sacks in 2024, with another 90.9 true pass set rush grade and an impressive 22.8% pass rush win rate.
Day Three: Tyler Baron, Edge, Miami
Baron is 6’5, 260lbs but lacks the same level of athleticism the previous two pass rushers have shown and will be a 24 year old rookie. For a Day 3 pick, Baron showed plenty of production and finesse to be a solid rotational pass rusher in the NFL after putting up an elite pass rush grade and an 18.6% pass rush win rate.
Issue #3: Someone to play Safety
Currently, the Panthers only safety on the roster is Demani Richardson. While he had a promising rookie year, the safety position is not a one man show.
Day One: Malaki Starks, S, Georgia
The 6’1, 205lb former Bulldog is probably the only safety that you could try to justify using the 8th overall pick to select. Starks has the prototypical size, athleticism and instincts to become one of the better safeties in the NFL.
Day Two: Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
While Watts does not have the same level of athleticism as Starks, it’s good enough and he also has a good size profile (6’0, 203lbs) with a significantly above average feel for the position in coverage. Watts did not allow a single touchdown while coming away with 6 interceptions in 2024.
Day Three: Billy Bowman, Oklahoma
Bowman is somewhat undersized (5’10, 200lbs), has good instincts, but lacks the same athleticism as Watts or Starks. Still Bowman showed good coverage ability and would make a great consultation prize if the Panthers can’t justify taking Starks or Watts earlier on.