Mock NY TIMES PICK FOR 8. ESPN first Rd1 and 2. NFL.com Ideal 2 picks

[raleigh-panther]

Ny Times           Jaylin Walker to Raiders  

8. Carolina Panthers: Mykel Williams, edge, Georgia

The second Georgia player to go in the top 10, Williams was injured in the 2024 opener against Clemson and didn’t get to play much in the first half of last season. But he was back for a big game at Texas in October and gave UT fits, notching two sacks. He had two more sacks against the Longhorns in the SEC title game. The 6-5, 260-pounder has 34 1/2-inch arms with potential that makes D-line coaches giddy.

“He was banged up a lot this year, but when he was close to 100 percent, he’s super twitchy,” an SEC tight ends coach said. “He’s a freak.”

He’ll boost a Carolina team that had the worst pass rush in the league.

“He’s more of the traditional defensive end guy than Walker,” said an SEC O-line coach who was really impressed by both Georgia players. “He can either be that 3-4 outside linebacker or 4-3 end. He has real pass rush ability. I think he’s an elite edge rusher. He’s great chasing from behind, and he can play the run well enough.”

 

ESPN

Rd 1 8. Carolina Panthers

Jalon Walker, Edge/LB, Georgia

The Panthers have made a series of edge rusher investments over the past two years, but none has massively moved the needle. The Panthers -- who allowed the most yards per play (6.0) and tied for the third-fewest sacks (32) last season -- could truly address their need in the top 10, though.

Walker had 6.5 sacks in 2024 even though he spent a lot of his time patrolling the middle of the field at off-ball linebacker. Carolina could deploy Walker in a hybrid role since it needs a boost at both linebacker and edge rusher.

 

rd 2 

57. Carolina Panthers (via LAR)

Jaylin Noel, WR, Iowa State

At 5-foot-10 and 194 pounds, Noel might be a better fit in the slot than outside. But he has serious explosion, averaging 14.9 yards per catch last season en route to 1,194 yards and eight scores. Noel could join Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker to form an intriguing young WR corps.

 

NFL.COM. IDEAL FIRST 2 picks

Round 1: No. 8 overall: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

Round 2: No. 57 overall: Kevin Winston Jr. S, Penn State

The Panthers might have bigger needs on their roster than at tight end, but they are unlikely to find a more impactful player on offense than Warren. His presence as a safety valve and red-zone threat would aid Bryce Young's progression as a third-year starter. In this scenario, they take Winston -- a rangy, secure tackler -- to play beside free-agent pick-up Tre'von Moehrig. By taking two prospects from the same school with their first two picks, they follow the lead of the Rams (who actually traded Carolina this year's 57th overall pick as part of the process of pairing Jared Verse and Braden Fiske of Florida State) and Jaguars (who took Brian Thomas Jr. and Maason Smith out of LSU) last year. 

Edited 20 hours ago by raleigh-panther
Added info

[Captain Morgan]

I like Winston a lot  Need to see if he can cover.  I was hoping for him later in the draft though. We'll see.

the NFL.com draft has us not adding a rusher in the first 2 rounds, that's concerning

[MHS831]

i still think graham could fall.

[jfra78]

If Walker is there i think he's the pick, if not it's a crapshoot

[toldozer]

32 minutes ago, jfra78 said:

If Walker is there i think he's the pick, if not it's a crapshoot

I feel like all the guys i think they're going to take will be gone. Graham and walker plus Carter who has no chance. If that's the case I really hope someone wants to jump the saints and we can trade back. I would want Green if he didn't have the accusations 

[Daddy_Uncle]

11 minutes ago, toldozer said:

I feel like all the guys i think they're going to take will be gone. Graham and walker plus Carter who has no chance. If that's the case I really hope someone wants to jump the saints and we can trade back. I would want Green if he didn't have the accusations 

I think you may be surprised. Guys seem to fall every year. We will have a great bunch to choose from

[jasonluckydog]

BPA be it a TE, WR, OL,DL, QB, P,K, WB. 

[Icege]

~3wks to go...

Feels weird to be at peace with a draft... I'd prefer to trade back and still land a top guy as is the usual draft dream, but I'm probably going to be okay with any pick the team makes. Mykel Williams? Cool, I remember how excited I was the first time I saw him line up at Georgia as a freshman. Shemar Stewart? Alright big dawg, time to live up to those measurables. Mike Green? Team masseuses only for you, champ.

The only pick that I think I would lose my poo over is Shedeur.