NFL Draft 2025: Pass rusher, safety among biggest Carolina Panthers roster needs
With nine selections in this week’s NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers will need to choose wisely to fill out their depth chart, which still has plenty of holes.
Following a barrage of signings on defense during the first week of free agency, the Panthers have mostly remained calm on the open market. While the team added running back Rico Dowdle and punter Sam Martin in March, the offense and special teams units still have some notable needs ahead of organized team activities. They’re not done on defense, either.
So, as the Panthers enter the annual draft, they’ll have plenty of areas of need to contemplate throughout the weekend. Luckily for them, they have a decent nest egg of picks to plug those holes.
Below are the Panthers’ immediate draft needs entering the selection process:
Safety
The Panthers are still quite light at this position, despite adding Tre’von Moehrig in free agency and re-signing Nick Scott. While Demani Richardson flashed as a rookie, the Panthers would probably prefer to pair Moehrig with a better prospect in the starting lineup. Julian Blackmon and Marcus Williams still linger on the open market, so the Panthers don’t need to force a pick early.
Outside linebacker
The Panthers are excited about free-agent addition Patrick Jones, but the pass rushing rotation still needs upgrades. Jones, Jadeveon Clowney and DJ Wonnum give the Panthers a solid base to work with, but a notable prospect being added to the fold would only make the defense better. Look for Carolina to handle this need in the first two days of the draft.
Wide receiver
The Panthers lack speed at the wideout position. While head coach Dave Canales has stated his belief in the current group — led by Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette, David Moore and Jalen Coker — the position needs some quickness in the worst way. The Panthers think Legette can ascend into a No. 1 wide receiver position, but that’s still a projection. It’s time to double down on playmaking.
Kicker
The Panthers signed Matthew Wright to compete for a job this summer. In order for a competition to take place, the Panthers will need to add another leg to the room. The draft is the most cost-effective option for adding that specialist to the mix, and the Panthers will probably look toward that avenue to accomplish that addition. Could the Panthers use a late-round pick on a kicker? It seems possible, if not probable.
Punt returner
The Panthers re-signed Raheem Blackshear earlier this month to return kicks. But the team still needs an upgrade at punt returner. Bringing in a talented and proven college returner could push Blackshear and fill out an important role on special teams. Running back and wide receiver depth will probably be added based on special teams prowess.
Inside linebacker
The Panthers signed Christian Rozeboom to push Trevin Wallace this summer. Rozeboom is also a dynamic special teams ace, and his spot on the roster will be important for overall defensive depth. Still, the Panthers could use more talent in the room behind Wallace and Josey Jewell, given the volatile nature of the position.
Cornerback
Beyond recently re-signed starters, Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson, the Panthers are dealing with mostly unknowns at cornerback. Chau Smith-Wade is slated to start at nickel corner, but he could use some competition this summer. The Panthers would also benefit from adding to the group for long-term cost-effectiveness, as Horn and Jackson are making quite a bit of money.
Tight end
Tommy Tremble and Ja’Tavion Sanders are a nice pair at the position. However, the Panthers can afford to get better at tight end if the opportunity arises. Even if they don’t plan to upgrade the starting positions, it’s highly likely the Panthers add a tight end to the roster during draft weekend. This draft class is considered to have excellent tight end talent from start to finish.
Running back
Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle form an excellent tandem on paper. But beyond the top two players at the position, running back has plenty of room to evolve in Carolina. Blackshear isn’t a lock to make the roster, and the Panthers could use a cost-controlled insurance policy for 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks. Dowdle is only signed for one year, so adding a running back on a rookie contract makes a ton of sense this offseason.
Offensive tackle
While the Panthers are pretty much set at both left and right tackle for 2025, the future at both positions is somewhat murky. The Panthers have until May 2 to pick up Ikem Ekwonu’s fifth-year option for 2026, and Taylor Moton will seemingly play out the final year of his contract as he gets set to turn 31 in August. The Panthers have some fluidity here, and they might look at the draft as a cost-effective alternative to paying either Ekwonu or Moton long term.
