Carolina Panthers Mock Draft Roundup 3.0

The Panthers could pick Walker or Jihaad Campbell here to be a versatile linebacker/edge rusher in the Micah Parsons mold. Walker's experience rushing the passer, explosiveness and strength holding the point of attack might give him a slight edge to end up in Carolina.

The Panthers would have to be pleased to see Mason Graham slide this far down and into their laps. They could use an upgrade to the interior of their defensive line, and Graham is the most disruptive player at the position in this class.

Stewart's production makes him a risk, but for a team that needs juice off the edge like the Panthers, his potential makes him an intriguing dice roll at the top of the draft. Some teams will look at Stewart's build and his 4.59 40-yard dash from the scouting combine and fall in love sooner than later. According to TruMedia, the Panthers' defense finished dead last in pressure percentage last season (25.2%). This may be the type of risk the Panthers are willing to take.

After considering offers from the Steelers for George Pickens and Minkah Fitzpatrick, the Panthers stay put and are the first team to draft a Georgia defender (in part because the Eagles aren't picking until 32). Using a top-10 pick on a player with minimal production in college is a risk, no matter Williams' physical gifts (which are many). But the Panthers are banking on big upside from one of the youngest players in the draft – one whose final season at Georgia was slowed by a high ankle sprain. Williams' best games came against top competition: He had two sacks in a victory over then-No. 1 Texas, two more sacks in the SEC Championship triumph over Texas and three pressures in an opening-week win versus Clemson when he initially hurt his ankle. — Joseph Person

The Panthers came up a little short in their pursuit of Milton Williams in free agency, but they get another chance to bolster the interior defensive line here. Graham would be a key addition for a defense that ranked last in yards and points allowed last season.

The Panthers' top pass-rushers last year were Jadeveon Clowney and A'Shawn Robinson, two veterans entering their 12th and 10th NFL seasons, respectively. Adding some juice up front is necessary for Carolina to take the next step, and perhaps no defender has more upside than Stewart, who wowed at both the Senior Bowl and Combine.

With Johnson and the newly minted Jaycee Horn, the Panthers would have two instinctive and athletic perimeter corners.

The Panthers had the worst scoring defense in the league. Luckily for them, it's a strong defensive draft, particularly with edge rushers, defensive tackles and linebackers. Walker fits what Carolina needs, being a do-it-all linebacker at Georgia. He can play inside and make tackles while being explosive at the edge. I'm a big fan of Walker.

Carolina's biggest weakness last season was the defense. It allowed 6.0 yards per play and surrendered 31.4 points per game. Those league-worst numbers were clearly on Panthers general manager Dan Morgan's mind during free agency, when the team inked Tre'von Moehrig, Tershawn Wharton, Pat Jones II and Christian Rozeboom. But Morgan shouldn't stop there.

Drafting Walker would give Carolina a versatile defender who can play off-ball linebacker (where I have him ranked) or on the edge. He had 62 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2024, and his sideline-to-sideline speed and first-step burst are really awesome traits.

Jalon Walker can easily play the true 3-4 outside linebacker role the Panthers have in Ejiro Evero's defense. Watching his tape, though, I still want him rushing the passer as much as possible.

Carolina has gotten serious in a big way about improving its defense this offseason. It has signed big free agent contracts for Bobby Brown, Trevon Moehrig, and Tershawn Wharton.

Now, it lands a glue piece in the middle to help tie everything together.