Carolina Panthers first round target is becoming painfully obvious with only a couple of weeks left until the 2025 NFL Draft

It has been a very interesting offseason for the Carolina Panthers so far. For a team that just went 5-12 in 2024, the Panthers didn’t have much roster turnover. Head coach Dave Canales and this team look intent on developing their young talent, and the 2025 NFL season will be a great test to see that progress.

The 2025 NFL Draft class is an opportunity for the Panthers to continue to build up that young nucleus. They are a team that has several needs left to be filled, and most of them come on the defensive side of the football. Canales may have given a sneak peak into their selection at No. 8 during an interview with Kay Adams.

"Every single Georgia Bulldog you talk to, they talk about Jalon Walker," Canales said. "They talk about accountability, the way he pulls the whole group together, the way that he plays with his hair on fire, and communicates in all of those things. I think there are just some intangibles about the guy that are really special… He’s right down the road. What is it, Highway 85? It’s super close."

Walker would be a very interesting player in that spot for Carolina. He has spent time both on the edge and at linebacker for Georgia the last couple of years. During the 2024 season, Walker finished the season with 60 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks.

The Panthers have a major need on the edge. Right now Jadeveon Clowney and DJ Wonnum are projected to start for Carolina. They signed former Minnesota Vikings pass rusher Patrick Jones this offseason, but he is more of a rotational player. This team needs a legitimate top pass rusher to be added to this group.

Linebacker is also a major need. The organization said goodbye to Shaq Thompson this offseason, so they need to find a playmaker on the second level. There is some question about what spot Walker plays due to some tweener traits. He could, however, wear a lot of hats for a respective defense.