Carolina Panthers’ Top NFL Draft Options for the No. 8 Pick

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With the NFL Draft here, the Carolina Panthers are exploring several possibilities for their No. 8 overall pick. While general manager Dan Morgan has expressed openness to trading the selection, the team is still expected to make a first-round pick on Thursday night.

Morgan made headlines in last year’s draft by moving up to select wide receiver Xavier Legette. Now in his first full offseason as GM, he’s keeping all options on the table, including potential trade-down scenarios.

Despite that flexibility, the Panthers are preparing for multiple outcomes and continue to evaluate top prospects who could be available at No. 8. This would mark Carolina’s 14th straight year making a first-round selection.

Panthers’ Top NFL Draft Options for the No. 8 Pick

1. LB Jalon Walker (Georgia)

Walker has been closely linked to the Panthers in recent weeks. A versatile hybrid linebacker, he’s expected to play outside linebacker, per GM Dan Morgan.

The Salisbury native—son of former Catawba College coach Curtis Walker—stood out with strong character and deep knowledge of Panthers legends like Thomas Davis and Luke Kuechly.

Most importantly, he could make an immediate impact on a defense that forced just 17 turnovers last season. Walker led the Bulldogs with 10.5 tackles for loss and tied for the team lead with 6.5 sacks.

2. DT Mason Graham (Michigan)

The 6-foot-3, 296-pound lineman could form a dominant duo with Panthers Pro Bowler Derrick Brown, boosting a 2024 run defense already aided by free-agent pickup Bobby Brown. Graham earned first-team AP All-American and All-Big Ten honors.

3. Safety, Nick Emmanwori (South Carolina)

The Irmo native was a first-team AP All-American and first-team All-SEC in 2024, leading the Gamecocks with 88 tackles and intercepting four passes, two of which he returned for touchdowns. Emmanwori impressed at the NFL Combine with a 4.38 40-yard dash and stands out with his rare size for the position at 6-foot-3, 220 pounds.

4. CB, Will Johnson (Michigan)

Johnson tied Michigan’s program record with two interceptions returned for touchdowns in 2024. However, he has injury concerns after missing the second half of the season due to a foot injury. He was named first-team All-Big Ten in 2023.

5. Edge, Mykell Williams (Georgia)

At 6-foot-5, 260 pounds, Williams fits the mold of a prototypical pass rusher, unlike his teammate Walker. Despite battling an ankle injury in 2024, he still posted 8.5 tackles for loss, 5 sacks, and two forced fumbles.

6. CB, Jahdae Barron (Texas)

Barron was a first-team AP All-American and first-team All-SEC selection for Texas. He won the Jim Thorpe Award as the nation’s top defensive back and was a finalist for the Bronco Nagurski Award, given annually in Charlotte to the nation’s top defensive player. In 2024, he recorded five interceptions, tied for fourth-most in the country.

7. DT, Walter Nolen (Ole Miss)

Drafting Nolen would require Carolina to trade back significantly, but his stock is rising. He had an outstanding season at Ole Miss, earning first-team All-SEC and AP All-American honors. Nolen led the team with 14 tackles for loss, recorded 6.5 sacks, and totaled 48 tackles. He was also a finalist for the Outland Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top interior lineman.

8. Edge, Donovan Ezeiruaku (Boston College)

At 6-foot-2 and 248 pounds, Ezeiruaku isn’t the biggest edge rusher, but his production stands out. He ranked second in FBS with 16.5 sacks, third with 20.5 tackles for loss, and forced three fumbles.

9. Edge, Shemar Stewart (Texas A&M)

At 6-foot-5 and 267 pounds, Stewart has the size of a top-10 pick, but not the production—finishing his college career with just 4.5 sacks over four seasons. Panthers GM Dan Morgan suggested in his media session that the team is less likely to target players who lacked college production.

10. Edge, Mike Green (Marshall)

Green led the FBS with 17 sacks and ranked second with 22.5 tackles for loss, also forcing three fumbles. Before transferring to Marshall, he played in the ACC at Virginia.

However, there are character concerns. Green has faced two sexual assault allegations—one in high school and another during his time at Virginia—which he has recently denied.

11. Safety, Malaki Starks (Georgia)

Starks led the Bulldogs defense with 77 tackles and recorded six interceptions over three seasons in Athens. He earned first-team AP All-American and SEC honors in 2023, and was named second-team in 2024.