Panthers insider sticks to his Jalon Walker-shaped guns with latest NFL mock draft

The Carolina Panthers are very likely picking Jalon Walker

ATHENS, GA - NOVEMBER 16: Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Jalon Walker (11) celebrates a big hit during the college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs on November 16, 2024, on Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. | (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

If most draft analysts had to make one final prediction on who the Carolina Panthers are taking, barring a trade back, most of them would agree. It's probably going to be Jalon Walker's name called around 9:00 pm ET on Thursday night. That's for a variety of good reasons.

There's clear interest, as they've met with, scouted, and talked so highly of Walker as an organization. GM Dan Morgan even went ahead and said what position he'd play, which is bold to say before picking someone. There's also the fit, as the Panthers need both edge rushing and interior linebacker help, two things Walker brings.

Therefore, with less than 36 hours before the draft arrives, Panthers insider Joe Person is sticking to his guns and predicting a Jalon Walker pick. He said he felt as if he'd written 4,000 words on Walker recently and predicted that he'd be writing a lot more soon.

"While Panthers general manager Dan Morgan has strongly suggested his preference would be to trade back, he may not have any takers," Person added. "I unsuccessfully tried to get Pittsburgh to trade with Carolina to get in front of New Orleans in this exercise."

Since that's the case and Carolina is, at least in this mock, stuck at eight, they'll grab Walker. "It’s not like the Panthers would be settling with Walker, a natural playmaker and culture-builder — two things Carolina needs more of. What’s less clear is whether Walker can be an edge-rushing force in the NFL, but that’s a projection Morgan seems willing to bet on," Person said.

The Panthers love Walker. He fits with the team and would be an instant starter. He's versatile and he happens to have grown up in the Carolinas. The connections are seemingly endless, and if someone else's name is called Thursday night, it would be a bit of a curveball with all due respect to Tetairoa McMillan.

- Enjoy more free Panthers coverage with Carolina Panthers on SI - 

Panthers fleece Saints & Steelers trading down in latest 7-round mock

Panthers-Cowboys trade proposal sends lethal pass rusher to Carolina

2025 NFL draft ‘nightmare scenario’ for Panthers is unlikely to go down

Stunning trade proposal sends Panthers’ best receiver to WR-rich Eagles