Dan Morgan creates a fantastic secondary tandem in the Carolina Panthers’ seven-round mock draft

The Carolina Panthers are a team in transition. After years of fluctuating performance, the Panthers are looking to reestablish themselves as contenders in the NFC South. A core area of focus for the Panthers in the 2025 NFL Draft is the secondary. With cornerbacks and safeties playing an increasingly critical role in modern football, the Panthers’ front office and their scouting staff are determined to fortify the defensive backfield. In their latest seven-round mock draft, Dan Morgan, the Panthers’ Director of Player Personnel, envisions a formidable pairing in the secondary that could change the future of their defense.

Morgan, known for his sharp eye for talent and understanding of the Panthers’ needs, has meticulously crafted a strategy to not only address the present concerns but also set the team up for long-term success. His mock draft, which spans seven rounds, focuses on improving the team’s defense, particularly the secondary, a position group that has often been a weak spot for Carolina in recent seasons.

The Importance of the Secondary in Today’s NFL

The NFL has evolved into a pass-heavy league where high-flying offenses dominate headlines. As such, the importance of a strong secondary—comprising cornerbacks and safeties—cannot be overstated. Teams with elite cornerback tandems, such as the Los Angeles Rams with Jalen Ramsey and the Buffalo Bills with Tre’Davious White, have shown that a dominant defensive backfield can be the difference between a playoff run and a mediocre season.

For the Panthers, improving their secondary will be crucial to containing high-powered offenses within their own division, such as the explosive Tampa Bay Buccaneers or the Atlanta Falcons with their strong passing game. Moreover, it’s important to consider that the Panthers have struggled against the pass in recent seasons, giving up big plays that have resulted in defeats. This draft could, therefore, be the turning point for the Carolina Panthers’ defense, with a specific focus on adding new faces to the secondary.

Dan Morgan’s seven-round mock draft addresses this by adding both cornerbacks and safeties who have the potential to make an immediate impact. The picks are designed to not only address depth issues but also give the Panthers the ability to create a secondary that will be feared league-wide.

Round 1: Building the Cornerback Tandem – Kelee Ringo, CB, Georgia

The first round of Dan Morgan’s seven-round mock draft sees the Panthers selecting Kelee Ringo, the standout cornerback from the University of Georgia. Ringo has drawn attention as one of the top cornerbacks in the 2025 draft class, showcasing a blend of size, speed, and ball skills that is rare in today’s draft prospects. Standing at 6’2” and 210 pounds, Ringo has the physical tools that NFL scouts look for in a top-tier cornerback.

What stands out most about Ringo is his ability to cover wide receivers in both press and off-coverage situations. His fluidity in turning and running with receivers, combined with his elite reaction time, makes him a threat to both prevent completions and create turnovers. He was a key part of Georgia’s national championship-winning defense, demonstrating his ability to perform on the big stage and cover top-tier talent in the SEC.

For the Panthers, Ringo represents a strong solution at the cornerback position. His ability to be physical at the line of scrimmage while also having the speed to cover faster wide receivers is something that has been missing in Carolina’s defensive backfield. Pairing Ringo with the Panthers’ current cornerbacks could solidify one side of the field, allowing the team to focus on improving the other cornerback spot in later rounds.

Ringo’s potential to match up against elite NFL wide receivers makes him a cornerstone piece in the rebuilding of the Panthers’ secondary. This pick would also give the team a clear, long-term solution at cornerback, ensuring stability for years to come.

Round 2: Adding Depth and Versatility – Antonio Johnson, S, Texas A&M

In the second round, Morgan turns his attention to the safety position with the selection of Antonio Johnson, a versatile safety from Texas A&M. Johnson brings a mix of instincts, physicality, and coverage ability, making him a great complement to Ringo and a player who can help shore up the back end of the Panthers’ defense.

At 6’3” and 200 pounds, Johnson has the size and speed to match up against tight ends, running backs, and wide receivers. He is an excellent tackler, known for his ability to play near the line of scrimmage and make stops in both the run and pass game. Additionally, Johnson has demonstrated the ability to cover deep routes in zone coverage, a skill that will be crucial in today’s pass-happy NFL.

With his versatility, Johnson could be used in multiple roles within the Panthers’ defense. He could play as a traditional strong safety, help with coverage in the nickel package, or even be used in a more hybrid role, depending on the needs of the game. His leadership qualities and football IQ would also help the Panthers’ secondary develop cohesion and communication—key components for a defense that wants to compete at a high level.

Adding Johnson to the safety group alongside veteran Jeremy Chinn would give the Panthers a formidable and versatile tandem at safety, and he could make an immediate impact, especially in the passing game where the Panthers have struggled in recent seasons.

Round 3: Bolstering the Cornerback Depth – Jakorian Bennett, CB, Maryland

With their third-round pick, Dan Morgan selects Jakorian Bennett, a cornerback from the University of Maryland who offers excellent value at this point in the draft. Bennett has been recognized for his ability to cover in both man and zone schemes, and his ball skills make him a solid contributor in the secondary.

Bennett is not as physically imposing as some other cornerbacks in this draft class, standing at 5’11” and weighing 190 pounds. However, what he lacks in size, he makes up for with his quickness, footwork, and high football IQ. He is often able to read the quarterback’s eyes, which allows him to make plays on the ball and create turnovers. Bennett’s ability to stay with receivers and react quickly to changes in route running makes him an excellent asset to any defense.

While Ringo represents the Panthers’ future at one cornerback position, Bennett provides immediate depth and competition for the other starting spot. He could work his way into the lineup early, challenging for significant playing time, and he provides depth in case of injury. His addition would solidify the Panthers’ cornerback group and give them flexibility to match up against a variety of offensive schemes.

Round 4: Adding a Project Safety – Jalen Catalon, S, Arkansas

In the fourth round, Dan Morgan looks to add depth and potential with the selection of Jalen Catalon, a safety from the University of Arkansas. Catalon is a player with immense talent but has faced injury concerns over the course of his college career. When healthy, Catalon is a playmaker who can help anchor a secondary. He is an aggressive tackler who is often found around the football and has the ability to play both in the box and deep in coverage.

Catalon’s selection represents a high-upside, low-risk pick for the Panthers. With some luck on the health front, Catalon could become a key contributor on defense, offering depth behind Johnson and Chinn. His potential to develop into a starter down the road is certainly worth the risk, given his natural ability and football instincts.

Round 5-7: Building Depth and Special Teams

In the later rounds, Morgan focuses on adding more depth to the secondary and special teams contributors. These selections could include a mix of cornerbacks and safeties, as well as players who excel in covering kicks and punts. For example, players like Tariq Castro-Fields, a cornerback from Penn State, could be added to provide depth, or Tyler Owens, a safety from Texas Tech, could add versatility and special teams contributions.

These late-round picks aren’t necessarily about finding immediate starters but instead about building a well-rounded roster with quality depth. Each of these players could contribute on special teams while also developing into capable backups in case of injuries.