The 2025 Carolina Panthers are coming off another down season. They finished 5-12, a slight improvement from their league-worst 2-15 record in 2023.
Carolina is now two years removed from drafting their new franchise quarterback Bryce Young and appeared to somewhat turn the corner down the stretch of the regular season. With two overtime wins in Weeks 16 and 18 over NFC opponents, the ceiling of the former No. 1 overall pick was reimagined.
The Panthers head into the 2025 NFL Draft looking for ways to continue improving and build on that momentum.
Carolina ushered in a new era with a promising coaching regime led by offensive guru Dave Canales. Also entering his second season is president of football operations and general manager, Dan Morgan.
The Panthers have solid pillars on the defensive side of the ball in defensive tackle Derrick Brown and cornerback Jaycee Horn but plenty of holes remain for a unit that ranked dead last in points per game allowed (31.4).
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Here’s a look at the Panthers 2025 draft picks grades from USA TODAY Sports and the USA TODAY Network for each of Carolina’s selections.
Panthers NFL draft grades
This section will be updated when Carolina makes its picks.
Round 1, Pick 8: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz, USA TODAY Sports: Grade: C
The Panthers finished last in the NFL in yards per play and scoring defense, with the team also ranking 31st in ESPN’s pass-rush win rate metric. And then … the team grabs another receiver after trading up to take Xavier Legette at No. 32 last year. Dave Canales spoke about wanting to give Bryce Young another major weapon as the former No. 1 overall selection enters a critical third year. But he also vouched for Legette, saying he can be “that guy” for the team. McMillan should help Young out on quick-hit and intermediate throws right away, but there’s a significant question as to whether he can be the same kind of downfield threat he was for the Wildcats. Most importantly, even in a deep class at edge rusher, Carolina will be hard-pressed to find the premier defensive difference-maker they could have had here with someone like Jalon Walker
Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAY Sports: B-
Carolina grabs the top pure wide receiver off the board in the big-bodied McMillan. He’ll offer a different skillset for the Panthers’ offense and a big target for Bryce Young in Year 3. But this is a team that ranked last in the NFL on defense by points, yards, rushing yards, passing touchdowns and first downs allowed last year. They desperately need help on that side of the ball and don’t pick again until No. 57 overall.
Panthers NFL draft picks
Nine selections:
- Round 1: No. 8 overall
- Round 2: No. 57
- Round 3: No. 74
- Round 4: Nos. 111 and 114
- Round 5: Nos. 140, 146 and 163
- Round 6: No. 230
