The Carolina Panthers’ first-round pick has been finalized for the 2025 NFL Draft
The Carolina Panthers will pick eighth overall in the 2025 NFL Draft in April.
The non-playoff team draft order was determined late Sunday following the Panthers’ thrilling 44-38 overtime win against the Atlanta Falcons.
The Panthers will pick in the top 10 for the fifth time in six years. Technically, the team has qualified to pick in that range in all six years, but the trade up to the No. 1 pick in 2023 led to the Panthers’ own No. 1 pick in 2024 being sent to the Chicago Bears.
The Panthers traded up from No. 33, the first pick in the second round, to No. 32, the last pick in the first round, during last year’s draft in order to select wideout Xavier Legette.
The Panthers entered Week 18 in position for the No. 6 overall selection. But due to the outcomes on the season’s final weekend, the Panthers — following their overtime win — fell down two spots in the pecking order.
The Panthers have several roster needs entering the offseason. The team will have 21 unrestricted free agents — including all four of its top safeties, linebacker Shaq Thompson, center Austin Corbett and tight end Tommy Tremble. Carolina needs upgrades at every level of the defense, and the wide receiver and tight end groups could use significant reinforcements.
With a pick in the top 10, the Panthers could be in range of a major upgrade on the defense front or at wide receiver.
Below are the Panthers’ 2025 draft picks:
▪ First round: Original pick (8th overall)
▪ Second round: Rams’ pick
▪ Third round: Original pick
▪ Fourth round (2): Original pick, Cowboys’ pick
▪ Fifth round (3): Original pick, Giants’ pick, Ravens’ pick
▪ Sixth round: N/A
▪ Seventh round (1): Original or Cardinals’ pick (conditional swap)
This story was originally published January 6, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
