ESPN 3rd mock

[raleigh-panther]

Rd 1. Walker

ESPN went big for the Carolina Panthers in their latest 2025 mock draft.

This time, the worldwide leader enlisted the expertise of both Mel Kiper Jr. and Field Yates—who went pick for pick over three full rounds. Kiper Jr. started Carolina's haul with the obvious prospect at Pick No. 8, Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker:

Carolina had big-time defensive issues last season. Walker can roam the second level with his sideline-to-sideline speed or fly off the edge to get home on the quarterback. The Panthers have to get some difference-makers on that side of the ball.

Walker, the perceived frontrunner for the selection, played both off the edge and off the ball for the Bulldogs in 2024. He recorded a team-leading 6.5 sacks en route to capturing a first-team All-American selection and the Butkus Award.

 

rd  2. OT Ozzy Trapilo

No. 57—Boston College offensive tackle Ozzy Trapilo 

Carolina must think offensive line early in this draft with a bunch of guys in contract years. Trapilo would be appealing for the Panthers as they try to improve Bryce Young's protection.

One of those guys in a contract year is longtime starting right tackle Taylor Moton. The 6-foot-8, 316-pound Trapilo could serve as a depth piece in 2025 and a possible heir apparent to Moton, who turns 31 years old in August.

 

Rd 3 DL  Tyleik Williams

Kiper Jr. wrapped up the pull at No. 74, with Ohio State defensive lineman Tyleik Williams:

More defense for Carolina. Williams is stout against the run but also shows the quickness and suddenness to penetrate the backfield. He had 21 run stops over the past two seasons, which is good news for a Panthers team that allowed a league-worst 5.2 yards per carry in 2024.

 

[Waldo]

Not landing a safety in the first 3 rounds is going to be a hard fail for me just like no RB or WR later eould also be fails in this draft. Edge and FS look really bad without talent injections at this point.

[UnluckyforSome]

He's the pick if we stay at 8 and he is still on the board.

[LinvilleGorge]

17 minutes ago, Waldo said:

Not landing a safety in the first 3 rounds is going to be a hard fail for me just like no RB or WR later eould also be fails in this draft. Edge and FS look really bad without talent injections at this point.

I don't love this safety class. It won't surprise me if we don't see value there. We shouldn't reach just because we have a need this year. A big part of our failure to ever put together consecutive winning seasons is constantly flailing to find bandaid solutions vs. actually focusing on building the core of a roster. I'm a firm believer in getting your bandaid solutions in low to mid-level FA and using the draft to try to build the majority of your core roster. Basically, using free agent for the pressing current needs and thinking longer term with the draft.

[Lurk21]

21 minutes ago, Waldo said:

Not landing a safety in the first 3 rounds is going to be a hard fail for me just like no RB or WR later eould also be fails in this draft. Edge and FS look really bad without talent injections at this point.

I agree but I'm guessing they are keeping Julian Blackmon as a fallback option. Which isn't bad but  depends on how the picks go. We definitely  need a wr added too. Kind if wonder will they make a play for Kittle or  Andrew's, with both being rumored on the market too. 

[PanthersUSN]

We need MAJOR help at all levels on defense.  Evero knows better than all of us.  I'd let him make every pick this year and then toward the end pick up some WRs.  

[Waldo]

30 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

I don't love this safety class. It won't surprise me if we don't see value there. We shouldn't reach just because we have a need this year. A big part of our failure to ever put together consecutive winning seasons is constantly flailing to find bandaid solutions vs. actually focusing on building the core of a roster. I'm a firm believer in getting your bandaid solutions in low to mid-level FA and using the draft to try to build the majority of your core roster. Basically, using free agent for the pressing current needs and thinking longer term with the draft.

I like the first 2 for sure. Still they went and blew money on a SS that can't cover. They desperately need one that can or they are going to have containment issues. They have one special teamer who sucks and one young guy who hasn't done much of anything which is an improvement over the first guy. It's still a need unfortunately.

[LinvilleGorge]

Just now, Waldo said:

I like the first 2 for sure. Still they went and blew money on a SS that can't cover. They desperately need one that can or they are going to have containment issues. They have one special teamer who sucks and one young guy who hasn't done much of anything which is an improvement over the first guy. It's still a need unfortunately.

Agreed. I'd love to find one in the draft but I think it might end up being a battle between a vet off the waiver wire and Richardson. What I definitely DON'T want to do is simply draft a safety out of desperation like when Gettleman spam drafted CBs after knee jerk yanking the tag off of Norman. 

[Waldo]

31 minutes ago, Lurk21 said:

I agree but I'm guessing they are keeping Julian Blackmon as a fallback option. Which isn't bad but  depends on how the picks go. We definitely  need a wr added too. Kind if wonder will they make a play for Kittle or  Andrew's, with both being rumored on the market too. 

As it stands our safeties look like liabilities at this point. Not sure Blackmon helps much given how Moehrig is basically useless in coverage. Moehrig and Scott are huge red flags if that's their day 1 starters. Not sure Evero makes it through the season season if that is the case.

[LinvilleGorge]

1 minute ago, Waldo said:

As it stands our safeties look like liabilities at this point. Not sure Blackmon helps much given how Moehrig is basically useless in coverage. Moehrig and Scott are huge red flags if that's their day 1 starters. Not sure Evero makes it through the season season if that is the case.

Moehrig was such a a head scratching signing. He's a 1980s safety in the 2020s.

The era of the undersized LB At safety should be over with the possible exception of the SS in a cover 3 scheme but in that situation you should probably be looking at that position as a spot to save cap space not burn through it.

[Waldo]

1 minute ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Agreed. I'd love to find one in the draft but I think it might end up being a battle between a vet off the waiver wire and Richardson. What I definitely DON'T want to do is simply draft a safety out of desperation like when Gettleman spam drafted CBs after knee jerk yanking the tag off of Norman. 

I agree. The safety room looks bad and I think they already made their knee jerk reaction by signing Moehrig after committing to stopping the run in so many other places. That unit is set up for disaster IMO. Jackson nor Horn can't cover everyone themselves and if the passrush doesn't materialize then it gets real ugly. Richardson is the wild card but if you ask me to bet on the Panthers developing talent it's not one I'm taking, especially from Evero.

[Waldo]

4 minutes ago, LinvilleGorge said:

Moehrig was such a a head scratching signing. He's a 1980s safety in the 2020s.

The era of the undersized LB At safety should be over with the possible exception of the SS in a cover 3 scheme but in that situation you should probably be looking at that position as a spot to save cap space not burn through it.

Yeah that's it. Could have had Chinn at half the price. It was a mistake and I think they will have to eat that one hard this year.

[ThPantherFan]

1 hour ago, raleigh-panther said:

Carolina's haul with the obvious prospect at Pick No. 8, Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker:

I agree with this pick.  Hopefully it will happen.  Would like a safety in one of the picks.

[ThPantherFan]

1 hour ago, Waldo said:

Not landing a safety in the first 3 rounds is going to be a hard fail for me just like no RB or WR later eould also be fails in this draft. Edge and FS look really bad without talent injections at this point.

We need a very good safety!