In his first mock draft of the offseason, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein went out on a limb with the Panthers’ first-round pick.

NFL analyst says the Panthers have one main option at defensive tackle in the draft. Several of the latest mock drafts have Mason Graham going seventh overall to the New York Jets

The Panthers have nine picks, including the eighth overall selection. The Panthers have held the No. 8 pick four times previously — more than any other first-round spot — and used it on Tim Biakabutuka, Jordan Gross, Christian McCaffrey and Jaycee Horn.

The Carolina Panthers are in the middle of the evaluation phase of the 2025 NFL Draft. Following a chat with GM Dan Morgan in Texas, Panthers beat writer Mike Kaye projects the top 10 picks, including Carolina’s eighth overall selection.

Dan Morgan tried to aggregate the production of Brian Burns in the form of Jadeveon Clowney, DJ Johnson, and DJ Wonnum, but despite the trio's best efforts and a late-season surge in sacks, Morgan's first swing at building an elite pass rush didn't quite hit.