This past week, from the annual league meetings in Palm, Beach, Fla., Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales commended the work of his organization in setting up their draft approach by successfully attacking free agency. Now that many of the team's major needs have been at least somewhat addressed, Canales and company may be set up to take the best player available with their upcoming first-round pick.
But who will be available? And who, if available, are the likeliest selections for that eighth overall pick?
Well, perhaps the worldwide leader has some answers to that. ESPN Analytics attempted to forecast every pick of the 2025 NFL draft with their Draft Day Predictor tool.
So, ranked off their rough estimates, here are the 11 likeliest prospects to be taken by the Panthers at No. 8:
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona: ~19 percent
The Panthers, according to Canales, may already have their No. 1 wideout in last year's first-round pick Xavier Legette. But it's clear that quarterback Bryce Young could still use another weapon or two.
Armand Membou, OT, Missouri: ~18.5 percent
Longtime starting right tackle Taylor Moton is on the final year of his contract. Could the Panthers, despite not having an immediate need for another offensive lineman, take this promising hog molly as Moton's heir apparent?
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State: ~13 percent
Like Membou, Jeanty doesn't present an obvious answer to a glaring hole. The Panthers seem ready to roll with Chuba Hubbard and free-agent signee Rico Dowdle out of the backfield in 2025.
Jalon Walker, EDGE/LB, Georgia: ~12.5 percent
Walker has felt like the odds-on favorite for a while now. The 2024 Butkus Award winner, although a bit undersized, has displayed flashes as a dangerous pass rusher—something the Carolina defense certainly needs.
Mykel Williams, EDGE, Georgia: ~10 percent
If Walker is the frontrunner for the eighth pick, then Williams is right on his tail. In fact, he might even be neck and neck with his teammate.
Will Johnson, CB, Michigan: ~8 percent
The Panthers have extended Jaycee Horn and re-signed Mike Jackson, their two starting corners from 2024. But are they absolutely comfortable in moving forward with Jackson as their No. 2?
Will Campbell, OT, LSU: ~4 percent
Campbell might be a tougher case for Carolina than Membou is. The consensus All-American projects best as a guard, an area that has been locked up with long-terms deals for Damien Lewis and 2024 Pro Bowler Robert Hunt.
Mason Graham, DL, Michigan: ~3.5 percent
Signing Tershawn Wharton shouldn't stop the Panthers from stealing Graham, one of the very few blue-chip prospects in this class.
Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State: ~3.5 percent
Warren may also be one of those blue chippers. The first-team All-American can do it all, and potentially legitimize the tight end position in Carolina.
Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M: ~3 percent
Stewart is a bit of a risk, as he totaled just 4.5 sacks over his three college seasons. Someone, however, is going to gamble on the athletic 6-foot-5, 267-pounder.
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Colorado: ~2 percent
If we were still in Week 7 of the 2024 season, then Sanders would firmly be in this conversation. But that talk has been tabled, as the Panthers feel like they have their guy under center.
