It's never too early for a mock draft, right? Right . . . ?
Well, even though we're currently settled into the bye week for the Carolina Panthers , let's choose not to be idle. Let's, instead, keep those cogs moving and think ahead to the spring—where the 2025 NFL draft awaits.
Here's a mini, three-round/two-day mock on our weekend off . . .
If not for the perpetually pass rush-deprived Atlanta Falcons , the Panthers would currently rank last in the NFL in sacks. But we don't even need the numbers to tell us that this defense is sorely lacking firepower off the edge—just look at the depth chart.
Carter may be the top edge defender in this class, at least at the moment. Given his versatility, extreme athleticism, school and uniform number, this potent 6-foot-3, 252-pounder has drawn some comparisons to Dallas Cowboys All-Pro Micah Parsons .
We're doubling-down off the edge. (Yes, it's that dire.)
Kennard is putting together a whole lot of production (9.5 sacks) and a whole lot of good tape in his fifth year at the college level. He'll be 23 years old when he hits the pros, so he can still take a little time to learn behind fellow Gamecocks Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum —both of whom are free agents after the 2025 campaign.
In the ongoing quest to field a complete defense of Gamecocks, Emmanwori joins his South Carolina brethren and gives the Panthers a much-needed playmaker in the secondary. The 6-foot-3, 227-pounder has amassed an SEC-leading four interceptions in 2024.
Plus, five Panthers safeties—including their two starters in Xavier Woods and Jordan Fuller —are slated for free agency at season's end.
TV broadcast maps for Week 11 of NFL action
Where do the Panthers stand in the 2025 NFL draft order after Week 10?
Where do the Panthers stand in NFL power rankings heading into Week 11?
Panthers' biggest studs and duds at the bye week
Panthers' best and worst PFF grades at the bye week
Panthers Wire Mailbag: What fans want to know at the bye week
This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Panthers 2025 (mini) mock draft: Bye week edition
