Cаrolіnа Pаntһerѕ Poѕt-Super Bowl 7-round 2025 NFL Mock Drаft: Pаntһerѕ retool tһe defenѕe to tаke preѕѕure off of Bryce Young

The Super Bowl has officially concluded, marking the end of another tremendous NFL season. Teams are now shifting gears to the offseason, making plans for free agency and the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft.

For the Carolina Panthers, they enter the offseason with plenty of momentum. Bryce Young finally enjoyed his career breakout moment and the offense started to come alive as the season ended. As head coach Dave Canales enters Year 2, there is plenty of support and buzz behind what it could bring for Carolina.

How can they attack the 2025 NFL Draft and return to contending in the NFC South?

Carolina Panthers Post-Super Bowl 7-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft

Round 1, Pick 8: Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

The Panthers ended the 2024 season on a high note with Bryce Young's resurgence, but their defense needs an infusion of talent to grow. One key area could be improving their pass rush. Shemar Stewart is an unbelievable mover for his frame and is one of the best players in this draft class. 

Round 2, Pick 57: Jayden Higgins, WR, Iowa State

Carolina's offense found something in undrafted free agent Jalen Coker and could have a unique 1-2 punch with him and first-round pick Xavier Legette. However, the team still needs more playmakers throughout the offense.

Jayden Higgins could be the perimeter playmaker the offense needs to round out their trio at wide receiver. Higgins is a natural vertical threat, with good speed, size, and ball skills. 

Round 3, Pick 74: Quincy Riley, CB, Louisville

Jaycee Horn has begun to be the shutdown player the team envisioned when they drafted him in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, but the rest of their cornerback room is unproven and in need of more talent. 

Quincy Riley is small, but he's tremendously physical with a nose for the football that should be a productive option that can fill in at the nickel and outside for the Panthers' defense. 

Round 4, Pick 110: CJ West, DT, Indiana

As good as Derrick Brown is, he can't do it all for the Panthers' defensive line up front. They should continue to add talent along their front to boost their pass rush across the board.

CJ West is an East-West Shrine Bowl standout who projects well into the pros in a variety of roles. He can be an effective interior rusher early on in his career. 

Round 4, Pick 113: Billy Bowman, SAF, Oklahoma

With multiple players in their safety room set to be free agents, Carolina should invest in filling out this room in the draft and free agency. 

Billy Bowman is a terrific deep safety option with elite deep speed and ball skills. He would be a ballhawk for the Panthers to rely on covering deep. 

Round 5, Pick 141: Jaylin Smith, CB, USC

Double-dipping into the secondary here, the Panthers completely retool their cornerback room to aid in shutting down opposing pass games. Smith, like Riley, is a tad undersized but his physicality shines through. 

Round 5, Pick 147: Jonah Monheim, C, USC

With Austin Corbett set to hit free agency and little proven depth behind him, the Panthers should add a young center to the mix to help keep their offensive line afloat. 

Jonah Monheim is an intriguing depth option at the next level due to his experience playing across the offensive line. Center is his best position at the next level, however. 

Round 5, Pick 164: Luke Lachey, TE, Iowa

Ja'Tavion Sanders flashed as a rookie, but the rest of Carolina's tight end room is set to hit free agency. They should add another young playmaker to that room to give the team better personnel diversity. 

Round 7, Pick 229: Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia Tech

While Carolina has their starters set at wide receiver, they could use more talent behind them, given the back end of that receiver room will be hit with multiple pending free agents. 

Jaylin Lane is on the smaller end, but he is a terrific separator with strong hands who would add a nice complement to the bigger Higgins, Legette, and Coker.