The Carolina Panthers (7-6) are making a push for the postseason. Without the intention of getting too far ahead of ourselves, we shift our focus to the future with this NFL Mock Draft.
After a handful of promising — and a handful of disappointing — performances from the Carolina offense in 2025, the front office looks to add firepower for Bryce Young.
Round 1, Pick 15: Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon
The Carolina Panthers have selected a wide receiver with their two most recent first-round selections, in Tetairoa McMillan and Xavier Legette. The team also spent a second-round pick in 2024 on running back Jonathon Brooks, who suffered another torn ACL after recovering from the same injury that prematurely ended his final collegiate season at Texas.
However, the Panthers’ offense has been more volatile and underwhelming than the defense in 2025. The tight end position has not found a reliable playmaker, despite drafting Ja’Tavion Sanders in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, Mitchell Evans in the 2025 fifth round, and re-signing Tommy Tremble.
Oregon TE Kenyon Sadiq (82.2 PFSN College TEi score) is a level of prospect that surpasses any of the aforementioned players on the Panthers’ roster. PFSN draft analyst Ian Cummings says of Sadiq:
“At 6’3″, 245 pounds, Sadiq’s muscular frame, impressive wingspan, and three-sport pedigree immediately pop on film, showcasing rare athleticism, elite burst, and flexible body control for the position. A dynamic weapon after the catch, who regularly lines up all over the formation, he’s also a strong and willing run blocker. With his blend of movement skills, versatility, and competitive edge, Sadiq has all the traits to become a matchup nightmare and rise into early-round NFL contention if given a featured role.”
So far this season, Sadiq has compiled 40 receptions, 490 yards, and eight touchdowns. He has been every bit of the ‘matchup nightmare’ that Cummings alluded to in his scouting report. Adding Sadiq as a seam weapon and RAC threat into the Carolina offense could unlock the next level necessary for Bryce Young and this Panthers’ team to reach their potential as contenders.
Round 2, Pick 47: Gennings Dunker, OT, Iowa
I’m a firm believer in continually investing in the trenches with the NFL Draft. The Panthers have deployed twelve different starting offensive line combinations through the first twelve games this season. Guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis are under contract for the next two seasons at least. Still, the depth behind them is questionable, especially considering the ramifications of the season-ending injury to Brady Christensen (who was only on a one-year deal).
Iowa’s Gennings Dunker has the nastiness in his game that permeates through the entire offense. He has been terrific at right tackle and could stick there in the NFL, which would be the succession plan behind Taylor Moton in Carolina, or he profiles nicely to kick inside at guard.
Cummings’ evaluation of Dunker states: “He’s a barrel-chested brute with a mammoth upper body and explosive lower-body power. And as you’d expect from an old-school lineman, he relishes the chance to bury defenders on blocks any chance he gets. Dunker excels at firing off the snap and driving his legs in the run game, and he has the high-level raw power element to generate hefty displacement off the line. Meanwhile, in pass protection, he’s quietly very sound when it comes to playing balanced, square, and timing his punches effectively.”
Round 3, Pick 79: Deontae Lawson, LB, Alabama
The Panthers’ defense has shown significant improvement in 2025. The run defense has benefited from the return of Derrick Brown, obviously. Safety Tre’von Moehrig was an outstanding free agent signing in the offseason, who has paid dividends with his impact.
The second level remains the area of the unit with more questions than answers. Josey Jewell’s retirement before the season thrust Trevin Wallace and Christian Rozeboom into starting roles. Wallace is just 22 years old and in his second season, having been selected in the third round of the 2024 draft. He has shown development, in my opinion, and should continue to receive opportunities to grow.
But I don’t think anyone has distanced themselves from the pack in a strong enough fashion to prohibit another quality investment at the position. Enter Deontae Lawson.
Cummings says of the Alabama backer: “As succinctly as it can be put, Lawson is just a good football player. He’s not quite the transcendent talent his former teammate Jihaad Campbell was, but Lawson is sound in both phases of the game as Alabama’s “STING” LB. In run defense, he processes gaps quickly, explodes downhill, and takes on blocks with all of his 239-pound frame. In the pass game, he has great depth discipline and hip leverage IQ in zone, and he’s aggressive on the attack as a blitzer.”
Round 4, Pick 115: Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State
It looks like the Carolina Panthers hit on their 2025 second-round pick, Nic Scourton. He’s been stellar in run defense and has flashed his pass-rushing chops, amassing three sacks in his rookie season so far. Fellow rookie Princely Umanmielen is on a more specific development path, playing fewer snaps and more targeted for obvious pass rush situations. Still, he has shown promise to build off of.
The Carolina defense still needs juice off the edge. I wouldn’t be surprised if the team considers allocating higher draft capital to the position come April 2026, in fact. But in this mock, Penn State EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton falls right into their lap in the fourth round.
Cummings’ prospect profile for Dennis Sutton remarks: “At 6’4″, 266 pounds, he has ideal frame density and length, to go along with great explosiveness, arc-running speed, formidable raw power, and enthralling bend. He’s a fluid and light-footed mover who can beat off-set blockers with his agility and strong hands, or drop into coverage and make plays in the flats.”
Dennis-Sutton has produced 34 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, six sacks, and three forced fumbles so far this season.
Round 5, Pick 155: Barion Brown, WR, LSU
The early returns from 2025 first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan have been about as good as Carolina could have hoped for. He’s demonstrated true WR1 ability in his rookie season. Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker have shown flashes, although the collective passing game has not been consistent enough to evaluate their ceilings fully.
Jimmy Horn Jr. possesses easy speed, but the Panthers use him sparingly on offense and haven’t given him any opportunities in the special teams return game. Carolina simply needs more speed and a more threatening offense on the field. Barion Brown can offer that, in theory.
Brown transferred to LSU from Kentucky after the 2024 season. During his three-year tenure at Kentucky, he compiled over 3,200 all‑purpose yards. He holds Kentucky school records for career kickoff return touchdowns in a single season (3 in 2023) and overall (5, also an SEC record).
Listed at 5’11” and 185 pounds, Brown’s speed is his most compelling attribute. He has shown the ability to win quickly at the line of scrimmage with an effective jab-step release, along with an array of additional techniques that he has proven his arsenal contains. His speed makes him a vertical threat, but he also sells the vertical well to create separation on comeback routes.
Brown has dealt with drops throughout his career and will need to solidify that aspect of his game to earn a prominent offensive role in the NFL. However, his game-breaking dynamic should afford him opportunities in specific packages and on special teams.
Round 5, Pick 161: Devon Marshall, CB, NC State
Having spent his first two seasons playing for Villanova, Devon Marshall transferred to North Carolina State in 2024 and has been a shutdown cornerback during his tenure in Raleigh.
Listed at 5’11 and 200 pounds, Marshall has allowed five touchdowns through 24 games of action as an ACC defender. In the same span, he has snagged four interceptions and been credited with 22 passes defended, including an NCAA-leading 15 in 2025. He’s a sure tackler, supported by his 7.1% missed tackle rate this season.
One of Marshall’s best attributes is his ability to limit yards after the catch. This season, he’s allowed 30 receptions (on 64 targets) for 343 yards, with just 98 total yards after the catch. Marshall was also only charged with one penalty for the season.
In his two years at North Carolina State, Marshall was aligned as an outside cornerback for 1,028 snaps compared to just 53 in the slot. He would provide developmental depth on the outside for Carolina behind Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson, and second-year UDFA Corey Thornton (who saw most of his playing time in the nickel as a rookie before suffering a season-ending injury). Marshall also has extensive experience on special teams, which he can lean on while acclimating.
Round 6, Pick 193: Xavier Nwankpa, S, Iowa
Xavier Nwankpa is the definition of an upside pick. And in the sixth round, there’s little downside to taking a risk on a high-ceiling player like Nwankpa.
In 2025, Nwankpa has accumulated 69 total tackles, one tackle for loss, two fumbles forced, and one interception. A former five-star recruit out of high school, Nwankpa has promising athleticism and has flashed his functional advantages. However, those flashes haven’t found consistency to earn a higher draft allocation.
Cummings writes of Nwankpa’s outlook coming into the 2025 season:
“He had his bright spots and flashed his tantalizing athletic upside, but there remains a need for greater consistency and further technical refinement as Nwankpa enters his fourth season. A move from strong safety to free safety should help the 6’2″, 215-pound playmaker; he thrived as a middle-field ball-hawk in high school with 16 career HS picks.
However, improvement with pedal and weave technique will be key in helping Nwankpa reach his ceiling.”
For the Panthers, Nwankpa can use his high-end athleticism to carve out a special teams role in his fight for a roster spot. If he can buy into the job and earn his spot, he’s an intriguing developmental Day 3 prospect.