As the 2025 NFL Draft inches closer, let’s dive deeper into each position group to see where the talent and depth are.
Now that the regular season is over, the Carolina Panthers are locked into the number eight overall pick of the first round. They also have the Los Angeles Rams’ second round pick (currently projected to be pick 57), their own third (74) and fourth (109), the Dallas Cowboys’ fourth (112), the New York Giants’ fifth (139), their own fifth (145), the Baltimore Ravens’ fifth (projected to be pick 163), and the Arizona Cardinals’ seventh (227). The exact number of some of these picks is subject to change based on playoffs results, and the Panthers could (and probably will) make trades involving these picks and/or obtaining others. Because the Panthers have picks in almost every round of the Draft, let’s take a deep dive into each of the position groups making up this year’s crop of players. Obviously some of these players could be listed at different positions depending on who you ask, so I tried to include realistic options for each position. For example, some edge defenders might be listed as defensive linemen on some sites. Today, we’ll look at the defensive linemen.
High End Talent
Just like at edge, the down linemen in this draft are plentiful. Again similar to the edge rushers, this class is led by an undisputed top player. For the defensive linemen, that player is Michigan Wolverine Mason Graham. Graham’s dynamic play and impact against the run and the pass have him projected to be a top 10 pick, if not top five. Several other players could be vying for first round selections, though probably in the latter half of the round. Players like Ole Miss Rebel Walter Nolen, Michigan Wolverine Kenneth Grant, Oregon Duck Derrick Harmon and Ohio State Buckeye Tyleik Williams could all hear their name called on day one of the draft. Each one brings their own strengths and weaknesses, but all could be fantastic players at the next level.
Depth
As we get into day two of the draft, there will still be some quality players available. There will probably be at least one or two of the top tier tackles that fall to the top of the second round. On top of that possibility, players like South Carolina Gamecock TJ Sanders could be worth a day two pick. Other players to look for in the second and third rounds are Texas Longhorn Alfred Collins, Kentucky Wildcat Deone Walker, and Tennessee Volunteer Omar Norman-Lott. Unless the Panthers go with Graham in the first, hearing them call on of these names on day two would not surprise me at all.
Sleepers
Sleepers are always tough to project. There are several uber athletic players with high ceilings who could fall to day three. Clemson Tiger DeMonte Capehart, Ole Miss Rebel JJ Pagues, and Colorado Buffalo Chidozie Nwankwo all fit that lottery ticket type of billing. If teams prefer players with higher floors and good motors, players like SMU Mustang Jonathan Jefferson and Clemson Tiger Payton Page will be fairly hot commodities on day three.