An ESPN mini-mock draft involving 10 anonymous scouts predicts that the Carolina Panthers will select University of Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker with the 8th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. The decision is influenced by the Panthers' struggles on defense, ranking as the worst in the league in the previous season. Walker, a first-team All-American and Butkus Award winner, is seen as a potential game-changer for the team's defense that performed poorly in 2024.
While the focus is on addressing defensive needs with the first-round pick, there is also consideration for bolstering the offense in later rounds. The possibility of selecting wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan in the second round to support quarterback Bryce Young is hinted at by one of the anonymous scouts. The Panthers aim to rebuild their team and improve both sides of the ball in the upcoming draft to enhance their performance in the league.