Their willingness depends on how the board develops ahead of them, but with quarterback-needy teams behind them — particularly the New Orleans Saints at No. 9 — Carolina could receive serious interest.
NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport recently reported that Saints quarterback Derek Carr is dealing with a shoulder injury that could impact his 2025 season, fueling speculation that New Orleans may target a quarterback like Shedeur Sanders or Jaxson Dart.
ESPN's Adam Schefter noted the Saints spent “considerable time” with Dart during the pre-draft process, and Nick Underhill of NewOrleans.Football confirmed they met with Sanders at the NFL Combine.
Ready to add some new Panthers to the mix #NFLDraft | @budlight pic.twitter.com/oFUBSAz8Ud
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 14, 2025
If the Panthers stay at No. 8, they could still land a top-tier player such as Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, as projected in Bleacher Report’s latest mock draft. But moving back would give Carolina additional draft capital in a class viewed by some executives as fairly even beyond the top few picks.
General manager Dan Morgan only holds one pick inside the top 50 and three in the top 100, increasing the appeal of trading back a few spots to potentially acquire a second-round pick or a package including a future pick.
As Sports Illustrated’s Schuyler Callihan pointed out, dropping to the 15–16 range could still leave Carolina in position to draft an impact defender like Mykel Williams or Will Johnson.
Hot take only Panthers fans will understand… GO. pic.twitter.com/t5AJF79R07
— SleeperPanthers (@SleeperCarolina) April 14, 2025
Carolina’s history at No. 8 has been productive, having previously selected standouts like Christian McCaffrey and Jaycee Horn in that slot.
Still, the evolving quarterback market — and the possibility of another team jumping ahead of New Orleans — could turn the Panthers’ pick into a valuable trade chip. “That 9th pick gonna be all kinds of interesting,” analyst Louis Riddick posted on X after Carr’s injury news broke.
If a team like Pittsburgh, which brought in both Sanders and Dart for visits, decides to move up from No. 21, Carolina could be in a prime position to take advantage.
Photo Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
