Carolina Panthers seven-round mock draft: Trading back in the first round for defensive star

Our fourth Carolina Panthers mock draft for 2025.

Nov 16, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Malaki Starks (24) walks into Sanford Stadium before a game against the Tennessee Volunteers. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images / Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The 2025 NFL Draft is not until late April, but it's never too early to start formulating opinions on what the Carolina Panthers will do with their picks. Each and every Sunday leading up to the draft, we will release a new seven-round mock draft, projecting each Panthers pick.

Here are this week's picks.

TRADE! RD 1, Pick 13: S Malaki Starks (Georgia)

Georgia defensive back Malaki Starks (24) warms up before the start of the SEC championship game against Texas in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. / Joshua l. Jones Athens Banner-Herald USA TODAY NETWORK / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

For the first time this mock draft season, we're making a move! Here, the Panthers make a deal with the Miami Dolphins to trade down the board.

Trade Details

Panthers receive: 13th pick, 48th pick (RD2)

Dolphins receive: 8th pick, 164th pick (RD5)

The Pick

With the 13th pick, the Panthers land one of the best talents in the draft in Georgia safety Malaki Starks. An argument could be made that Carolina should consider taking him at No. 8, but for me, that's too high for a safety. I'm big on positional value in the draft, but moving five spots down and picking up an extra second-round pick is enough for me to use a top-15 selection on one. I almost went with Penn State TE Tyler Warren here, but I think Ja'Tavion Sanders has enough upside to be the guy of the future there for Carolina.

Last week's projection: LB Jalon Walker (Georgia)

RD 2, Pick 48 (via MIA): EDGE Princely Umanmielen (Ole Miss)

Sep 28, 2024; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive linemen Princely Umanmielen (1) lines up before the snap during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images / Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

It's no secret that the Panthers must address its defense, particularly adding some pass rushers to the mix. Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum are rock solid, but I'm not sure how long either will be in place. Umanmielen has the potential of being a seven or eight-sack-per-year guy if he fully develops. He brought the quarterback down 25.5 times at Florida and Ole Miss combined.

RD 2, Pick 57: CB Maxwell Hairston (Kentucky)

Jan 28, 2025; Mobile, AL, USA; American team defensive back Maxwell Hairston of Kentucky (11) approaches the line during Senior Bowl practice for the American team at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images / Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images

If Carolina doesn't come out of the 2025 NFL Draft with a cornerback, I'll be shocked. Jaycee Horn needs some help, and I'm not so sure they want to pay big money in free agency for one. Hairston might be on the slender side (5'11", 180 lbs), but he seems like a perfect fit for Ejiro Evero's zone-heavy defense. He won't be asked to play press man very often and that's the type of system he needs to be in.

TRADE! RD 3, Pick 80: WR Savion Williams (TCU)

Nov 23, 2024; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Savion Williams (3) runs the ball against the Arizona Wildcats in the first quarter at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images / Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Trade Details

Panthers receive: 80th pick (RD3), 2026 4th round pick

Colts receive: 74th pick, 229th pick (RD7)

The Pick

A low-risk, high-reward type of pick here in the third round with Savion Williams. Carolina will likely add a clear-cut No. 1 receiving option in free agency, but it couldn't hurt to add another intriguing young player. He's one of the biggest receivers in the draft, standing in at 6'5", 225 lbs, and would give Bryce Young an obvious red zone threat. He caught 60 passes for 611 yards and six touchdowns this past season.

RD 4, Pick 110: LB Jay Higgins (Iowa)

Iowa's Jay Higgins (34) lines up against Iowa State during the Cy-Hawk game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024 at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. / Julia Hansen/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Higgins is a talented run defender who likes to play downhill. He'll need to clean up his pass coverage a bit, but the Panthers were dead last against the run this past season, allowing a notch under 180 yards per game. Higgins, as a depth piece, can help fix that major weakness. Give him a couple of years to get his feet wet, and he should develop into a starter.

RD 4, Pick 113: RB DJ Giddens (Kansas State)

Nov 23, 2024; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back DJ Giddens (31) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-Imagn Images / Scott Sewell-Imagn Images

For the first time this mock draft season, I'm not projecting the Panthers to select Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo. I figured I would switch it up this week by going with DJ Giddens, who is a big, physical back in his own right that proved to be a tough tackle over the past two seasons. Since the start of the 2023 season, he's rushed for 2,569 yards and 17 touchdowns, averaging over six yards per tote.

RD 5, Pick 141: CB Cobee Bryant (Kansas)

Oct 5, 2024; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Kansas Jayhawks cornerback Cobee Bryant (2) against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Mountain America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Double dipping at corner here, but Bryant projects to be a nickel at the next level. Chau Smith-Wade had some moments this past season, but I believe Bryant has a much higher ceiling. He has terrific ball skills, picking off 13 passes in his collegiate career while also recording 22 pass breakups.

RD 5, Pick 147: EDGE Fadil Diggs (Syracuse)

Aug 31, 2024; Syracuse, New York, USA; Syracuse Orange defensive lineman Fadil Diggs (10) sacks Ohio Bobcats quarterback Parker Navarro (13) during the second half at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images / Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Thought about making a trade back and taking a quarterback in the sixth round, but figured the Panthers could use more depth off the edge. They can figure out the backup quarterback position in free agency. As for Diggs, he has the makings of a really solid rotational piece. This past season, he totaled 14 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks.

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