After yet another disappointing season that saw the Carolina Panthers win just five games, general manager Dan Morgan has been busy upgrading the roster around Bryce Young. Aside from signing 1,000-yard rusher Rico Dowdle, much of these upgrades have come on the defensive side of the ball.
Considering the Panthers allowed an NFL-high 31.4 points per game last season, addressing the defense first makes a lot of sense. Defense has been the focus in free agency, and that theme could continue during the early portion of the 2025 NFL Draft, where the Panthers hold the eighth overall pick in the first round.
Related: 2025 NFL mock draft: Latest Round 1 projections after first wave of free agency
Carolina Panthers projected to draft hybrid defender Jalon Walker
Since there are seven teams scheduled to select a prospect before the Carolina Panthers are on the clock, it can be tough to come up with a predictable outcome. There are many variables that come into play on draft day, so it’s important for teams to have a large number of potential outcomes they’d be happy with.
The Panthers could fall in love with a talented receiver like Tetairoa McMillan or even a top tight end like Tyler Warren. Yet, the defense could still use more help and the Panthers do have nine draft selections at their disposal.
Instead of getting Bryce Young another weapon, ESPN’s NFL Draft analyst Matt Miller projects the Panthers to target a “dream fit” like Georgia’s Jalon Walker, who was used as a versatile chess-piece as an edge rusher and coverage linebacker.
“Walker is a dream fit in Carolina’s scheme, as he’d be ideal as a stand-up, 3-4 outside linebacker opposite Jadeveon Clowney. The 243-pound Walker served as a hybrid linebacker and pass rusher at Georgia, showing high upside with 6.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss despite not rushing the quarterback full time. He has the first-step quickness and hand power to consistently have double-digit sack seasons in the NFL.”
ESPN’s Matt Miller on Carolina Panthers
Walker could help make up for the loss of Brian Burns last offseason, easing Derrick Brown’s workload in the trenches for a team that finished with the fourth-fewest sacks in the NFL last season.
Yet, Walker could be the type of defender who becomes a player opponents have to factor for on any given play, no matter where he lines up or what his given assignment calls for. That’s what we call a gamebreaking talent, and the Panthers could use more impact players like Walker.
Related: 2025 NFL Draft rumors: Carolina Panthers ‘interested’ in risky prospect at No. 8 pick
