Carolina Panthers seven-round mock draft: Dan Morgan establishes great tandem in the secondary

The Carolina Panthers, entering the 2025 NFL offseason, are at a pivotal moment in their rebuilding journey. With a promising young quarterback in Bryce Young, a dynamic defensive front led by Brian Burns, and a growing roster of talent, the Panthers are on the right path. However, several areas still need addressing for the team to take the next step in their development. One of the most important areas is the secondary, where the Panthers need to make significant upgrades to ensure their defense is as competitive as possible.

In this seven-round mock draft, the Panthers will focus heavily on bolstering their secondary with a mix of both young talent and players who can immediately contribute. General Manager Scott Fitterer, along with Director of Player Personnel Dan Morgan, will have the task of building a roster that can complement their young quarterback and take advantage of the team’s defensive strengths. Morgan, who has an eye for evaluating talent, will undoubtedly play a major role in this process, particularly as he looks to strengthen the back end of the defense and form a formidable duo in the secondary.

Round 1 (Pick No. 9): Jalen Carter, Defensive Tackle, Georgia

While the Panthers’ primary need is in the secondary, it would be remiss not to address their defensive line early. Jalen Carter, the dominant defensive tackle out of Georgia, represents a unique opportunity to add a game-changing force to the Panthers’ front seven. Carter is one of the most highly regarded defensive prospects in the 2025 draft and is capable of immediately elevating the Panthers’ defensive line, which is already home to talented players like Brian Burns.

Why Jalen Carter?

The Panthers have a solid defensive front, but they lack a true disruptor at defensive tackle who can consistently penetrate the pocket and collapse the line of scrimmage. Carter is a versatile defensive tackle with exceptional athleticism and a relentless motor. His ability to both rush the passer and stop the run would make him an instant impact player in the Panthers’ defensive scheme.

Carter’s ability to push the pocket would allow Brian Burns and others on the edge to work with more favorable matchups, creating more pressure on opposing quarterbacks and forcing more hurried throws. This is a defense that needs more consistent pass rush and interior pressure, and Carter checks both boxes. He would immediately improve Carolina’s run defense while also giving them an added weapon in their pass rush.

The Secondary Benefit

Although Carter is primarily a defensive line prospect, his presence would help the Panthers’ secondary as well. A stronger pass rush means that the defensive backs would have more time to cover, increasing the likelihood of turnovers and reducing the amount of time quarterbacks have to find open receivers. In this draft, strengthening the defense as a whole, starting with a dominant interior presence, could elevate the entire unit.

Round 2 (Pick No. 40): Cam Smith, Cornerback, South Carolina

With the Panthers’ first selection in the second round, they address one of their most glaring needs: cornerback. Cam Smith from South Carolina is one of the most talented cornerbacks in this draft class. Known for his physicality, coverage ability, and football IQ, Smith would help form a dynamic tandem at cornerback alongside Jaycee Horn. The Panthers have a young secondary, and adding another talented player to their mix is critical for their long-term success.

Why Cam Smith?

The Panthers have a solid starting corner in Jaycee Horn, but their depth at cornerback has been inconsistent. Adding a player like Smith gives the team a potential starting cornerback across from Horn, providing more stability and ensuring better overall coverage. Smith is adept at both man and zone coverage and has a nose for the football, with solid ball skills that could result in turnovers.

Smith is a physical corner with the ability to press receivers at the line of scrimmage and disrupt their routes. He’s an ideal fit for a Panthers defense that likes to be aggressive and put pressure on opposing offenses. His experience in the SEC, facing top-tier competition, also means that he’s battle-tested and ready for the speed and intensity of the NFL.

Pairing with Jaycee Horn

The pairing of Smith and Horn would give the Panthers one of the most talented young cornerback duos in the league. Both players have the ability to shut down receivers on the outside, and the physicality they bring would complement the Panthers’ overall defensive philosophy. Smith’s addition would solidify the Panthers’ cornerback position for the foreseeable future.

Round 3 (Pick No. 71): Antonio Johnson, Safety, Texas A&M

In the third round, the Panthers look to complete their secondary overhaul by selecting safety Antonio Johnson from Texas A&M. While the Panthers have strong talent at safety, including Jeremy Chinn, Johnson brings a different skill set that could help bolster the team’s defense in multiple ways. He’s a versatile safety who can play both in the box and in coverage, making him a valuable asset to the Panthers’ secondary.

Why Antonio Johnson?

The Panthers have a solid safety tandem in Chinn and Xavier Woods, but they lack a true playmaking safety who can make an impact in coverage and against the run. Johnson is a high-energy, versatile player who thrives in multiple roles. His ability to cover tight ends, as well as serve as a run-stopper in the box, would add a layer of flexibility to the Panthers’ defense. Johnson’s range and ball skills would make him a dangerous presence in the secondary, capable of making big plays and forcing turnovers.

The Secondary Trio

Adding Johnson would give the Panthers one of the most talented secondary groups in the NFL. The combination of Horn, Smith, Chinn, and Johnson provides a well-rounded defense capable of shutting down both the passing game and the run. This secondary tandem would make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks, giving the Panthers a distinct advantage on defense.

Round 4 (Pick No. 112): John Michael Schmitz, Center, Minnesota

The Panthers have a promising young quarterback in Bryce Young, and it’s essential for them to continue building a strong offensive line to protect him and open up the running game. In the fourth round, the Panthers select John Michael Schmitz, a standout center from Minnesota. Schmitz is widely regarded as one of the top interior linemen in the 2025 draft, and he brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the table.

Why John Michael Schmitz?

The center position has been a point of weakness for the Panthers in recent years. Schmitz is an experienced, strong, and intelligent player who could step in immediately as the anchor of the offensive line. He excels in both run blocking and pass protection, and his leadership would provide Bryce Young with a steady presence in the middle of the line. Schmitz’s ability to call out protections and make adjustments at the line would allow the Panthers to better protect their quarterback and open up the running game.

Improving Protection for Bryce Young

As the Panthers continue to develop Bryce Young, providing him with solid protection is essential. Schmitz’s addition to the offensive line would stabilize the interior and allow Young to have more time in the pocket. A better offensive line would help the running game as well, allowing players like Chuba Hubbard and Miles Sanders to find more space and gain consistency on the ground.

Round 5 (Pick No. 145): Zach Evans, Running Back, Ole Miss

In the fifth round, the Panthers address the running back position by selecting Zach Evans from Ole Miss. Although the Panthers have solid options at running back, Evans’ talent and versatility make him an intriguing prospect who could complement the team’s existing backs and offer additional depth.

Why Zach Evans?

Evans is an explosive, dynamic running back with the ability to break off big runs and contribute in the passing game. His combination of speed, vision, and power makes him a dangerous weapon for the Panthers’ offense. With the departure of some key offensive players in recent years, Evans could provide a change of pace and add an exciting dimension to the running game.

While Evans may not be an immediate starter, he could be a highly productive backup who contributes in key situations. The Panthers need depth at running back to ensure that they are not too reliant on one player and have multiple threats to use in different situations.

Round 6 (Pick No. 185): Luke Schoonmaker, Tight End, Michigan

The Panthers have talented tight ends on their roster, but adding another player who can contribute in both the passing game and as a blocker would be beneficial. Luke Schoonmaker from Michigan is a solid all-around tight end who would provide depth and versatility to the position.

Why Luke Schoonmaker?

Schoonmaker is a well-rounded tight end who excels as both a pass catcher and a blocker. His ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game would make him an ideal fit for the Panthers’ offense. While he may not immediately unseat the team’s top tight ends, Schoonmaker would provide depth and an extra option in the passing game.

Round 7 (Pick No. 212): Kyu Blu Kelly, Cornerback, Stanford

In the seventh round, the Panthers select Kyu Blu Kelly, a cornerback from Stanford. Kelly is an intriguing developmental prospect who could add depth to the secondary. His physicality and ability to make plays on the ball make him a valuable long-term project.

Why Kyu Blu Kelly?

Although Kelly may not be an immediate contributor, his potential as a versatile, physical cornerback gives the Panthers an interesting developmental player to work with. He could add depth to the cornerback room and develop into a contributor over time, especially with the Panthers’ emphasis on building a deep, talented secondary.