Kassidy Hill

CHARLOTTE The 2025 NFL draft is now less than a month away. Teams are updating their big board every day, welcoming in prospects for visits, and evaluating their current rosters every minute of every day. Only a select few in each building know what a club might due when the first round quicks off on April 24 in Green Bay, but between now and then, we will take a look at different positions of need for the Carolina Panthers, and how they might be addressed in the upcoming draft.

The Panthers currently have nine picks:

• Rd. 1, No. 8 overall
• Rd. 2, No 57 overall (from Rams)
• Rd. 3, No. 74 overall
• Rd. 4, No. 111 overall
• Rd. 4, No. 114 overall (from Cowboys)
• Rd. 5, No. 140 overall (from Giants)
• Rd. 5, No. 146 overall
• Rd. 5, No. 163 overall (from Ravens)
• Rd. 7, No. 230 overall (from Cardinals)

Position previews are an aggregation from the opinion and analysis of various draft websites and mock drafts. These are not rankings of a position, but rather a preview of names projected across all three days of the draft. Analysis by the Panthers editorial staff does not reflect the Panthers football staff and front office

Next up is defensive line.

The Panthers poured resources into their defensive line this free agency cycle, bringing inBobby Brown IIIfrom the Rams andTershawn Whartonfrom the Chiefs, adding mass and run-stoppers, something desperately needed after a season in which the Panthers were the worst run defense in the league. Additionally, Carolina will getDerrick Brownand his record breaking tackle production back after a year on the sideline with a meniscus tear.

Walter Nolen Ole Miss

Nolen left high school as the No. 1 overall recruit in the nation and it's not hard to understand why. The defensive tackle spent two years at Texas A&M before transferring to Ole Miss for one year, and with the Rebs he accumulated 48 tackles, 14 for loss, 6.5 sacks and three pass break-ups. Nolen has been able to get by largely on his physicality and athleticism at the college level. His arsenal of moves and technical aspects of his game need to be worked on for the NFL level, but he has everything a trenches player should need or want to be dominant, including a twitch and powerful punch that can shed linemen. He pressures the pocket as well, making him a three-down lineman

Mason Graham Michigan

Graham is consensually the top defensive line prospect in this years draft, following three years at Michigan in which he worked his way into a first-team All-American. Graham closed out his last season with 45 tackles, seven for loss, with 3.5 sacks and a pass break-up. He's extremely quick off the block, giving him push into the backfield. He has a wrestling background providing leverage, and uses his hands well to disrupt the pocket. Graham's arm length and wingspan are the only real knocks against his game, something that hasn't been a huge detriment thus far, but could be at the next level. His motor and power though will outweigh the concerns.

Kenneth Grant Michigan

Grant was overshadowed at times by his teammate, Graham, but is a first-round prospect in his own right. He has the size at 6-4 331 pounds, and uses his length to affect throwing lanes, leading to five pass break-ups in 2024 and 11 over the past two seasons. He could work more on anchoring his base and become more explosive, but his strength stands out and he's versatile enough to play multiple spots along the line.

Derrick Harmon Oregon

After three years at Michigan State, Harmon went west to Oregon for his final season where he finished with 45 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 5.0 sacks, four pass break-ups and a team lead two forced fumbles, earning him second-team All-American honors. He has the trifecta of size, length and strength, as well as the versatility to play all along the line in different fronts. He has a high football IQ and uses technique to get into the gap. His footwork and weight balance need to be refined though.

T.J. Sanders South Carolina

Sanders finished his last season with the Gamecocks with 50 tackles, seven for loss, 4.0 sacks and a pass break-up. He can play north-and-south or side-to-side and takes over blocks quickly. He can play in multiple fronts, but will have to address his handwork for the NFL.

Alfred Collins Texas

The fifth-year Senior has what some scouts called untapped potential after inconsistent production and starting experience with the Longhorns. His 2024 season though returned 55 tackles, 5.5 for loss, 1.0 sack, seven pass break-ups, a forced fumble and a blocked kick, making him a bit of a jack of all trades. Between that ability and his size6-6 332 poundswill have a team excited about the ceiling.

Shemar Turner Texas A&M

Turner made the Freshman All-SEC team in 2021, despite never starting a game. By 2024, he was a full time starter, finishing with 36 tackles, 5.5 for loss, 2.0 sacks, a pass break-up and a forced fumble. He's a bit of a tweener, clocking in at 6-3 290 pounds, but he has endless tenaciousness and aggression that won't let him stop on a play. He plays on a knife's edge though, drawing a lot of penalties with his aggression.

Ty Hamilton Ohio State

Hamilton is undersized, at 6-3 299 pounds, but has a quick first step and fast hands who knows how to use his leverage to win matchups, or employs his speed and smaller frame to sneak into the backfield at times. As a full-time starter with the national champions, Hamilton finished with 51 tackles, six for loss, with 3.5 sacks, and a forced fumble.