NFL expert names Georgia All-American as draft fit for Carolina Panthers

The 2025 NFL Draft is on the horizon, and with it comes increased attention on which college stars will make the leap to the professional ranks. The Carolina Panthers, in particular, are an intriguing team in this year’s draft. Having traded for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, the Panthers are in the midst of a rebuilding phase after a tumultuous few seasons. With a new quarterback in place, the Panthers have plenty of needs to address on both sides of the ball. One player who has been generating significant buzz as a potential fit for Carolina is Jalen Carter, the dominant defensive tackle from the University of Georgia.

Jalen Carter is considered one of the best defensive prospects in college football, and his performance has caught the eye of NFL experts and scouts alike. An All-American selection at Georgia, Carter’s ability to disrupt the opposing offense and collapse the pocket has made him a household name. Given the Panthers’ current needs on defense, the fit between Carter and Carolina could be a match made in football heaven.

In this article, we’ll explore why Jalen Carter, a standout defensive lineman for the Georgia Bulldogs, is being pegged as a prime draft fit for the Carolina Panthers, and how he could potentially reshape their defense.

Jalen Carter: The All-American Dominator

Before diving into why Carter would be a great fit for the Carolina Panthers, let’s take a closer look at the Georgia All-American himself.

Carter is one of the best defensive prospects to come out of Georgia in recent years, and that’s saying a lot when you consider the talent the Bulldogs have produced under head coach Kirby Smart. Over the course of his college career, Carter has been a disruptive force on Georgia’s defensive line, earning All-American honors, multiple All-SEC selections, and national championship accolades. In 2022, Carter played a pivotal role in Georgia’s dominant defense, which was a key factor in their back-to-back national championships.

What makes Carter so special is his combination of size, athleticism, and technique. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing around 310 pounds, Carter has the build of a prototypical NFL defensive tackle. However, it’s his mobility and explosiveness that sets him apart. Carter has shown the ability to use his quickness and agility to overwhelm blockers, penetrate the line of scrimmage, and wreak havoc on quarterbacks and ball carriers alike.

In addition to his physical attributes, Carter’s football IQ is off the charts. He’s able to read plays before they develop, and his ability to disengage from blockers and stay in pursuit of the football is a testament to his discipline and technique. Carter also excels against both the run and the pass, as he is equally adept at clogging running lanes and applying pressure to the quarterback. He is a true three-down defensive tackle who can be plugged into almost any defensive system.

It’s this combination of skill, size, and versatility that has NFL scouts drooling over Carter’s potential. With the 2025 NFL Draft on the horizon, Carter is widely expected to be a top-five pick, and many believe that the Carolina Panthers would be an ideal landing spot for the standout Georgia lineman.

Carolina Panthers’ Defensive Needs

The Carolina Panthers have made some strides over the past couple of seasons, but they still have several holes to fill on both sides of the ball. Coming off a 4-13 season in 2024, the Panthers have been in the midst of a rebuild under head coach Frank Reich and general manager Scott Fitterer. The team made a bold move by selecting quarterback Bryce Young in the 2023 NFL Draft, and now they’re in a position to further bolster their roster through this year’s draft.

While the Panthers have a promising young quarterback in Bryce Young, their defense has been an area of concern. The team finished 18th in total defense in 2024, and while their secondary has some strong pieces, their defensive line remains a work in progress. The Panthers lack an elite interior presence, and this has hurt them when trying to stop the run and generate consistent pressure on the quarterback.

The defensive tackle position, in particular, is one of the biggest needs for Carolina. Last season, the Panthers struggled to clog running lanes and create chaos in the backfield, especially against teams with strong rushing attacks. Their pass rush also wasn’t as impactful as they would have liked, and this is an area where the addition of a talent like Jalen Carter could make an immediate difference.

While the Panthers have some solid pieces on the defensive line, including players like Derrick Brown, Carter would give them the elite interior pass rusher they need to take their defense to the next level. The team’s edge rushers have shown promise, but adding a disruptive force in the middle of the defensive line would force offensive lines to account for pressure coming from all angles.

In short, the Panthers need a player who can take over games in the trenches, and Jalen Carter has shown time and again that he’s capable of doing just that. His ability to generate both pass rush and run stoppage makes him a versatile weapon that can change the complexion of any game.

Why Jalen Carter Is a Perfect Fit for the Panthers

With the Carolina Panthers looking to upgrade their defense, Carter presents a perfect fit. Here are several reasons why Jalen Carter would be an ideal selection for Carolina:

1. Immediate Impact as a Pass Rusher

One of the key issues facing the Panthers’ defense has been the inability to consistently generate pressure on the quarterback. Despite having Derrick Brown in the middle of their defensive line, the Panthers have struggled to create interior pressure on opposing quarterbacks. This has allowed quarterbacks to have time to throw, leading to explosive plays and inefficient defensive performances.

Jalen Carter has the ability to change that dynamic immediately. His combination of quickness, strength, and technique allows him to collapse the pocket and disrupt passing lanes. Whether it’s pushing the pocket from the interior or using his hands to shed blockers and get to the quarterback, Carter can provide the pass rush that Carolina’s defense has been missing. His ability to generate pressure up the middle will make life much easier for Carolina’s edge rushers, as opposing offensive lines will have to devote more attention to stopping Carter from the inside.

2. Run Defense Dominance

Another area of concern for the Panthers’ defense has been their run defense. Carolina allowed 4.5 yards per carry in 2024, ranking 22nd in the NFL in terms of run defense. The addition of Jalen Carter would immediately improve this area of their defense.

Carter’s ability to eat up space, clog running lanes, and shed blockers makes him a formidable presence in the run game. His strength allows him to absorb double teams and still maintain control of the line of scrimmage. With his explosiveness and ability to quickly disengage from blockers, Carter can also be a key part of the Panthers’ efforts to stop the run on early downs, forcing offenses into predictable passing situations.

3. Versatility and Scheme Fit

Carter’s versatility is another reason why he’s such an attractive option for the Panthers. While he excels at defensive tackle, he has the ability to line up at multiple spots along the defensive line. This makes him a perfect fit for Frank Reich’s defensive scheme, which emphasizes flexibility and adaptability.

Whether Carolina uses Carter in a traditional 4-3 defense or a more hybrid 3-4 front, Carter’s ability to play both the 1-technique and 3-technique positions means that he can fit seamlessly into a variety of defensive alignments. His ability to rush the passer from different angles and disrupt plays will give the Panthers’ defensive coordinator the flexibility to move him around and take advantage of matchups.

4. High Motor and Work Ethic

One of the standout qualities of Jalen Carter is his relentless motor. On every snap, Carter plays with a fire and intensity that is rare for players at his position. His high motor and ability to keep fighting through blocks and pursuing the ball will endear him to Panthers fans and coaches alike. This type of effort is essential for a team like Carolina, which is in the midst of a rebuild and needs players who will bring a relentless work ethic and leadership to the field.