CHARLOTTE — With less than a week until the commissioner steps to the podium in Green Bay, we're fully immersed in draft season.
The Panthers hold the No. 8 overall pick in this year's draft, so there is already plenty of conversation about which way the club could go with the pick.
We'll keep tabs on what some of the draft experts think the Panthers should do by tracking the mock drafts between now and the April 24-26 event.
The Panthers have nine total picks, including eight in the first five rounds.
You can see all of their picks here, and we'll keep you posted on all the latest at Panthers.com.
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"The Panthers' defense was historically bad without a solid pass rush last season, giving up the most points in NFL history (534). A hybrid linebacker with upfield urgency and an aggressive play style would help change that. Walker's 16.9% pressure rate when rushing off the edge ranked 10th in the FBS. He is undersized at 6-foot-1 and 243 pounds but can be deployed in multiple spots on defense. He was one of only two SEC defenders who managed to play at least 300 snaps at outside linebacker, 200 at inside linebacker and 50 at slot corner last season."—Jordan Reid
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Edge Jalon Walker, Georgia
"Walker steps into the Panthers' scheme as a pass rusher, a role in which he showed great promise at Georgia. His quick, strong hands help him win after the snap, and his quickness to the ball make him a menace when teams try running plays to his side of the field."—Chad Reuter
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LB Jalon Walker, Georgia
"GM Dan Morgan has already identified him as a fit for this team's 3-4 base defense. Carolina obviously needs another difference maker there, and Walker could effectively plug a gap at edge rusher but maybe also as an off-ball linebacker – perhaps both if he were to be deployed by coordinator Ejiro Evero in the optimal situationally dependent scenarios. But considering Jadeveon Clowney, 32, is the only player on this roster who generated more than a dozen pressures in 2024 – and just 22 – Walker's ability to get to quarterbacks might be his most-needed attribute here. Size (6-1, 243) is not among his selling points."—Nate Davis
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CB Will Johnson, Michigan
"The Panthers need a more consistent coverage core after allowing the second-highest explosive pass play rate last season (17.6%). Will Johnson allowed a 49.8 passer rating in coverage over his career at Michigan while excelling in both man and zone schemes."—PFF staff
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Edge Jalon Walker, Georgia
"Mocks have the Panthers taking Walker and for good reason. One executive told me he's 'Roquan Smith with a lot more pass rush.' This defense needs some dudes and Walker is a dude."—Jonathan Jones
View the Panthers March Madness jersey winner. The all black jerseys were worn by the players in Week 12 against the Chiefs.
