Carolina Panthers Day 2 mock draft: Our projections for 2025's 2nd and 3rd rounds
Thursday night marked the start of what might be a pretty fun draft for the Carolina Panthers.
In a bit of a twist, the team selected University of Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan with this year's eighth overall pick. Rather than trading down or going with a defensive player, as many had expected, general manager Dan Morgan and company got quarterback Bryce Young his guy.
So, what will they have in store for the second and third rounds?
Here is our Day 2 mock draft for the Panthers . . .
Second round (No. 47, via ARZ): Bradyn Swinson, EDGE, LSU
Trade: Carolina sends No. 57 and No. 111 to Arizona for No. 47
Like they did last year, the Panthers move up a bit in the second round to nab their player. This time, it's Swinson—a 6-foot-4, 255-pound havoc factory.
A second-team All-SEC selection in 2024, Swinson led the Tigers with 8.5 sacks and 13 tackles for a loss. He was also one of just nine FBS defenders to record at least 60 pressures.
The Panthers brought Swinson in on a "Top-30" visit, which has proved to be quite an accurate indicator of this front office's interest.
Third round (No. 74): Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina
Since the Panthers got lambasted by some for not going with a pass rusher on Day 1, let's have them double-dip at the position on Day 2.
Kennard, 6-foot-4 and 254 pounds, fits Carolina's size threshold off the edge. The reigning Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner brings the production Morgan looks for as well—as he notched an SEC-leading 11.5 sacks this past season.
Oh, and we know the Panthers love their Gamecocks. Three of their defensive starters—outside linebackers Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum and cornerback Jaycee Horn—played their college ball at the University of South Carolina.
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