NFL mock draft 2025: Projecting top 10 picks with Panthers set to select eighth overall
The Carolina Panthers are in the middle of the evaluation phase of the NFL draft process. With hundreds of talented prospects to cover this offseason, the front office has traveled to both the Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas and the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama this week to get a close look at college’s top upperclassmen.
The Observer spoke with GM Dan Morgan about the draft class and the team’s strategy toward the process earlier in the week, and his answers might have provided some clues as to how the Panthers could attack their board in April.
Morgan acknowledged that the team isn’t afraid to double dip on positions in free agency and the draft. And with Bryce Young set to lead the team at quarterback, the GM is hoping some talented players drop in the first round due to league’s annual desperation for QB upgrades.
With needs at defensive end, defensive tackle, outside linebacker, wide receiver and tight end, the Panthers could help themselves out with veteran additions in free agency before solidifying their starting group with a notable prospect or two in the early days of the draft.
With that said, here’s a super-early projection of how the top 10 could shake out after speaking with various evaluators and media analysts at the Shrine Bowl:
1. Tennessee Titans: Cam Ward, QB Miami
The Titans land their presumed franchise QB with the top pick in the draft. While Ward has avoided the all-star circuit, he’s still considered a top-two prospect at the position. With new GM Mike Borgonzi in place, and second-year head coach Brian Callahan looking to build a winning program, the aligned brain trust shoot their shot with Ward, who is a dynamic passer. This is considered an underwhelming QB class, so landing their top choice with the top pick — after a brutal 2024 — is really the best-case scenario for any QB-needy team.
Trade alert: In this projection, The Observer predicts the New York Giants will work out a deal with the Cleveland Browns to select one of the top two QBs. The Giants will trade a draft-pick package to leap from No. 3 to No. 2 in the draft, and the Browns will continue their ever-evolving rebuild with a bundle of picks to expand and elevate their roster.
2. New York Giants (via CLE): Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado
After trading away a package of picks to land their QB of the present and future, the Giants select the most high-profile player in the draft. Sanders, the son of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, has been in the college spotlight for the past two years, and his family background has prepared him for a big market like New York. The Giants, including GM Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll, were in attendance at the Shrine Bowl to get an up-close look at Sanders. The Giants are desperate to fix their post-Eli Manning problem.
3. Cleveland Browns (via NYG): Travis Hunter, CB/WR, Colorado
After adding a haul of draft picks in a projected trade back with the Giants, the Browns select the most intriguing player in the draft. Hunter can play on both sides of the ball and bring some excitement to a Cleveland team that is looking to turn the corner after a setback year. With Deshaun Watson coming off back-to-back Achilles tendon surgeries, the Browns need to address the QB position at some point in the offseason. But for right now, they potentially make two positions better with one pick. Maybe they’ll use one of the picks from the trade with the Giants to land a veteran QB to get them through the 2025 season.
4. New England Patriots: Abdul Carter, Edge, Penn State
Taking QB out of the equation, Hunter and Carter are probably the two best prospects in the draft. With Drake Maye settling in at QB for New England, new head coach Mike Vrabel can upgrade the other side of the ball. While the Patriots might be tempted to go wideout here, Carter is really tough to pass up. Maye can be the face of the offense, while Carter smashes into opposing QBs on the other side of the ball.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars: Will Johnson, CB, Michigan
The Jaguars could use help in a lot of areas, but the secondary would be a nice place to start. Jacksonville has spent several high picks on other positions, and with a little extra talent at cornerback, Liam Coen’s squad could kick into high gear in Year 1. Johnson is Pro Football Focus’s top-rated cornerback, and his winning pedigree could help establish a strong culture in the Jaguars’ locker room.
6. Las Vegas Raiders: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Pete Carroll’s new bunch needs a lot of work. But with the top two QBs off the board, the Raiders decide to fortify their wide receiver position with the top prospect at the position. No matter who lines up under center, that QB is going to need a big weapon — other than Brock Bowers — to throw to, and McMillan offers a strong blend of speed and playmaking ability. If McMillan falls beyond this point, the Panthers could be enticed to target him as well.
7. New York Jets: Malaki Starks, DB, Georgia
The Jets could go in several directions with this pick, especially because it seems like a huge veteran exodus is on the horizon. But with Aaron Glenn taking over the head-coaching duties, look for him to make his mark on the defense very early. Like Glenn during his playing days, Starks is a standout defensive back with impressive ball-hawking skills. There’s no top-tier QBs left, so why not improve the defense?
8: Carolina Panthers: Mason Graham, IDL, Michigan
Wonder of wonders, miracle of miracles! Graham, the top interior defensive lineman in the class, falls to No. 8 in this exercise. Graham has a championship pedigree and phenomenal production to match. The 6-foot-3, 320-pound lineman would be an excellent complement for Derrick Brown and A’Shawn Robinson in the trenches. He could help sure-up the league’s worst run defense and provide pass-rushing upside as well.
Graham would be a slam-dunk pick if he falls this far. Still, there’s no guarantee that happens with the Jags and Jets on the board ahead of the Panthers. While Carolina could trade back if Graham is off the board, it’s hard to envision them trading up at this point.
9. New Orleans Saints: Will Campbell, OT, LSU
The Saints need talent in all directions. Selecting Campbell would move former first-round pick, Trevor Penning, inside to guard, and help solidify the offensive line for the foreseeable future. The Saints are in for a few years of hurt with their cap situation and QB limbo, and adding to the offensive line would only help alleviate both tough looks. New Orleans should probably trade back here, but it’s hard to see teams forking up a bunch of picks following the top five-or-so picks.
10. Chicago Bears: James Pearce, Edge, Tennessee
The Bears need to be much better on defense. With Ben Johnson now in town, Chicago should attack the opposite side of the ball to make it better while depending on the first-year head coach’s offensive play-calling acumen on the other side. Pierce can come in and immediately rush the passer opposite Montez Sweat.
