Carolina Panthers (Last Year: 5-12)
2025 NFL Season Preview:
Veteran Additions:
RB Rico Dowdle, DT Tershawn Wharton, DT Bobby Brown, OLB Patrick Jones, LB Christian Rozeboom, S Tre’von Moehrig, K Matthew Wright, P Sam Martin.
Early Draft Picks:
WR Tetairoa McMillan, OLB Nic Scourton, OLB Princely Umanmielen, S Lathan Ransom, RB Trevor Etienne. Panthers Rookie Forecast
Offseason Losses:
TE Ian Thomas, C Brady Christiansen, LB Shaq Thompson, S Xavier Woods, S Jordan Fuller, K Eddy Pineiro, P Johnny Hekker.
2025 Carolina Panthers Offense:
The Carolina coaches and front office personnel were excited when the team moved up from No. 9 to 1 ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft. Everyone was thrilled about the prospect of selecting C.J. Stroud, but owner David “Axe” Tepper had other ideas. Not only did Tepper force Bryce Young to be the pick; he then fired everyone who disagreed with him. It’s unclear why Tepper believed he knew more than the football people he hired, but those football people turned out to be correct. Stroud had one of the best rookie quarterback seasons in memory – at least before Jayden Daniels – while Young struggled mightily.
Young was somehow worse to begin the 2024 season and was even benched in favor of Andy Dalton. Young eventually took back over the starting job and showed signs of improvement in the second half of the year, nearly beating the Chiefs, Eagles, and Buccaneers in late-season games. Though Young still can’t see over the line of scrimmage, he could end up being an average starter with the help of Canales, as well as a new weapon the front office acquired for him.
That new weapon was chosen with the eighth-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, as Carolina opted for Tetairoa McMillan. There’s a chance McMillan could emerge as a star receiver in the NFL, though there are some work ethic issues surrounding him. McMillan was also not expected to be chosen in the top 10, so this could have been another Tepper decision to make sure that Young has the best chance of developing, which would prevent Tepper from being further embarrassed. Still, McMillan will be better than what the Panthers had at receiver last year. Xavier Legette will now be the No. 2, which is a role more suitable for him. Adam Thielen will continue to play in the slot, but at 35, he is likely to regress.
What helps Young the most is a strong offensive line. Most common fans aren’t aware of this, but the Panthers have one of the better blocking units in the NFL. This was not the case in 2023, so the Panthers spent big bucks bringing in Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt to play guard. Both performed on a high level last year, especially the former. They’ll flank the only liability on the offensive line, which was Austin Corbett, who managed to play in only five games.
The Panthers are even better at tackle. Taylor Moton is one of the better right tackles in the NFL, while former first-round pick Ikem Ekwonu has developed into a solid starter after a shaky start to his career.
Carolina’s brilliant blocking is what made Chuba Hubbard’s strong season possible. Hubbard rushed for 1,195 yards and 10 touchdowns on just 250 carries, while catching 43 passes. With Jonathon Brooks nursing yet another injury, Hubbard will continue to handle the majority of the workload. The Panthers signed Rico Dowdle to handle third-down duties.
2025 Carolina Panthers Defense:
While Bryce Young was a disaster last year, he was nothing compared to how inept the defense was. The Panthers’ defense looked like they would set records for futility in the opening half of the season. The unit improved a bit in the second half of the year, but still finished dead last in points and yards allowed.
There are reasons to believe that Carolina won’t be 32nd in both categories again. First of all, Derrick Brown likely won’t play just one game again. The best defender on the team in the wake of the Brian Burns trade, Brown was sorely missed when he got hurt during the opening week of the season. His presence will be huge, and he’ll be playing on a three-man front with better players. Bobby Brown is a stout run defender, while Tershawn Wharton is an athletic player who can generate a pass rush. Brown will be very useful, considering that Carolina had the worst run defense in the NFL last year.
The Panthers also ranked dead last in pressure rate, which would explain why they added three new edge rushers to play alongside D.J. Wonnum, the only viable pass rusher the team had last year. Like Brown, Wonnum missed considerable action, but he logged four sacks in only eight games. His new edge complements are Patrick Jones, and rookies Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen. As with Wonnum, Jones was acquired through free agency from the Vikings. He had seven sacks last year and handled the run well, so he’ll be a welcome addition to the team. Scourton and Umanmielen was chosen in the second and third rounds, respectively, so Carolina will be hoping that at least one emerges as a strong pass-rushing presence.
The Panthers also made a solid addition in the secondary, which was burnt to a crisp by any functional passing attack last year. Tre’Von Moehrig, formerly of the Raiders, was signed to bolster the poor safety group. He’ll start next to Demani Richardson, a 2024 undrafted free agent who drew some mediocre starts late in the season.
Carolina also has one good player at cornerback, though that individual is not a new acquisition. That would be the talented Jaycee Horn, though Horn is coming off a down year. Horn will be aided by an enhanced pass rush. The Panthers will be hoping that this also helps the other starting cornerbacks, Michael Jackson and Chau Smith-Wade. Jackson was mediocre in 2024, while Smith-Wade was a liability in the slot.
Speaking of liabilities, Carolina’s linebacking corps looks like an utter disaster outside of Josey Jewell. The former Bronco is coming off a down year, but didn’t get any protection from the defensive tackles. He could bounce back, but he’s now in his 30s, so there could be a permanent regression. Jewell will play with Trevin Wallace and newly acquired Christian Rozeboom. Wallace struggled last year, but was a third-round rookie, so he could improve. Rozeboom, meanwhile, was constantly torched in coverage while playing for the Rams in 2024.
2025 Carolina Panthers Schedule and Intangibles:
Matthew Wright is Carolina’s new kicker despite being on three other teams last year. He went 15-of-16, including 1-of-2 from beyond 50.
Carolina also has a new punter. That would be Sam Martin, who was 25th in net average with Buffalo last year. He was average at placing punts inside the 20.
The Panthers might be able to get off to a great start, with their first seven opponents being the Jaguars, Cardinals, Falcons, Patriots, Dolphins, Cowboys, and Jets. Things get much tougher after that.
2025 Carolina Panthers Rookies:
Go here for the Panthers Rookie Forecast, a page with predictions like which rookie will bust and which rookie will become a solid starter.
2025 Carolina Panthers Positional Rankings (1-5 stars):
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Projection: 5-12 (3rd in NFC South)
2024 Projection: 4-13. 2024 Actual Result: 5-12.
2023 Projection: 7-10. 2023 Actual Result: 7-10.
2022 Projection: 10-7. 2022 Actual Result: 7-10.
2021 Projection: 9-8. 2021 Actual Result: 5-12.
2020 Projection: 2-14. 2020 Actual Result: 5-11.
2019 Projection: 10-6. 2019 Actual Result: 5-11.
2018 Projection: 11-5. 2018 Actual Result: 7-9.
2017 Projection: 7-9. 2017 Actual Result: 11-5.
2016 Projection: 11-5. 2016 Actual Result: 6-10.
NFL Draft Team Grade: C Grade
Goals Entering the 2025 NFL Draft: The Panthers arguably have the worst roster in the NFL. Their defense ranked 32nd overall last year, as the team couldn’t generate pressure on the quarterback or stop the run, so many upgrades are needed on that side of the ball. The offense was better, but only by default. The Panthers lack a true No. 1 receiver and a decent center. There’s also the question of Bryce Young being the answer, but with so many other needs, addressing the quarterback situation will have to wait.
2025 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Carolina apparently did not agree that its defense was horrific last year because it spent four of its eight picks on that side of the ball. This includes two of its initial four picks. The Panthers’ initial choice was used on Tetairoa McMillan, who might satisfy the No. 1 need if his reported work ethic issues don’t present a problem.
The Panthers rebounded with two strong picks following the controversial McMillan selection, snatching two promising pass rushers in Nic Sourton and Princely Umanmeilen on Day 2. However, the team squandered too many opportunities on Saturday. The Panthers wasted three picks, spending them on a running back, tight end, and another receiver. These draft choices would have been better served attacking the defense.
This was not a great draft for the Panthers. It doesn’t really feel like they improved their roster much despite having the No. 8 overall selection and picks in all three rounds of the first two days of the draft. They came away with some decent players, but they certainly did not make a move to surpass the Buccaneers or Falcons.
NFL Draft Individual Grades:
8. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona – C Grade
Wow, our Panthers source did not pan out for once. Jalon Walker was heavy chalk to go here, but the Panthers decided to draft a No. 1 receiver instead. While this fills a need, I’m concerned with Tetairoa McMillan’s work ethic, which is something you never want to hear from a first-round prospect, especially one who is chosen in the top 10. Bryce Young needs this, and McMillan is talented, but will he give 100 percent at the next level? Also, what about the defense, which was the worst in the NFL last year?
51. Nic Scourton, DE, Texas A&M – A Grade
The Panthers finally get a defensive player. I’ve heard Nic Scourton discussed as a late first-round possibility, so getting him in the middle of the second round is nice value. The Panthers had the worst pressure rate in the NFL last year, so Scourton will certainly help in that regard.
77. Princely Umanmielen, DE, Ole Miss – B+ Grade
Princely Umanmielen was someone I had in the first round once upon a time, so I like this value. Umanmielen has some nice potential, and I like that the Panthers are continuing to address their horrible pass rush.
114. Trevor Etienne, RB, Georgia – C- Grade
Travis Etienne busted in the NFL, but perhaps Trevor Etienne will pan out. The younger brother is a small running back, but has home-run ability. But with Chuba Hubbard and Rico Dowdle on the roster, the Panthers had bigger fish to fry.
122. Lathan Ransom, S, Ohio State – B+ Grade
I’m all for the Panthers upgrading any level of their defense, given how awful it was last year. Lathan Ransom played cornerback and safety at Ohio State, so his versatility is a plus, as are his coverage skills. He has an injury history, but he’s worth the risk in Round 4.
140. Cam Jackson, NT, Florida – B+ Grade
Cam Jackson makes sense in this range. He also fills a need for the Panthers as a huge run-stuffing nose tackle. Carolina was awful against the rush last year, so Jackson should help in that regard.
163. Mitchell Evans, TE, Notre Dame – B Grade
The Panthers have Ja’Tavion Sanders, but needed another tight end, so it’s logical that they chose someone like Mitchell Evans at this spot. Evans has potential, but recently tore his ACL, so he may not be 100 percent until 2026.
208. Jimmy Horn, WR, Colorado – C- Grade
The Panthers spent a first-round pick on a receiver, you’d think they’d use their other picks on defense. Instead, they drafted Jimmy Horn, a small receiver who wasn’t productive last year.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
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