In their first season under head coach Dave Canales, the Panthers went 5-12 as the struggles continued in Carolina. QB Bryce Young, who Carolina selected with the 1st overall pick in 2023, was benched early in the season in favor of Andy Dalton. Young regained the starting job and showed some improvement down the stretch, but has still had an underwhelming first two seasons in the league.
After going 2-15 in 2023, Carolina would have had the No. 1 pick in last year’s draft. However, they had traded their 2024 first-rounder to Chicago in order to move up to select Young first overall in 2023. The Panthers have stocked up on picks and have nine selections in this year’s draft. Last season, they received a 4th round pick from Dallas in the Jonathan Mingo trade, a 5th round pick from the Giants as part of the Brian Burns trade, and another 5th rounder from Baltimore in a deal for Diontae Johnson.
2025 NFL Draft team needs: Carolina Panthers
Mike Florio and Chris Simms map out why the Panthers are in desperate need of a solid EDGE, as well as how a reliable receiver could make a big difference.
Carolina Panthers 2025 NFL Draft Picks
Round 1: No. 8 – Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Round 2: No. 51 (from DEN) – Nic Scourton, EDGE, Texas A&M
Round 3: No. 77 (from NE via ATL) – Princely Umanmielen, EDGE, Ole Miss
Round 4: No. 114 (from DAL) – Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia
Round 4: No. 122 (from DEN) – Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State
Round 5: No. 140 (from NYG) – Cam Jackson, DT, Florida
Round 5: No. 163 (from BAL) – Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame
Round 7: No. 230 (from AZ)
Check out 2025 NFL Draft picks for other teams in the NFC South:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2025 NFL Draft picks
Atlanta Falcons 2025 NFL Draft picks
New Orleans Saints 2025 NFL Draft picks
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