Panthers GM Dan Morgan eyes DL, OLB at NFL combine

GEORGIA ATHLETICS

Former Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker, who grew up in Salisbury, is expected to be a top 10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, and perhaps available when the Carolina Panthers exercise the eight overall pick.

The Carolina Panthers need help, primarily up front and along the edges.

At the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, second-year general manager Dan Morgan didn't attempt to obscure the obvious. After a historically bad defensive unit yielded an all-time high of 31.4 points and league-worst 404.5 yards per game in 2024, Morgan didn't bother bluffing opponents on which position groups held his intense interest: Defensive line and outside linebacker.

"I think you go interior D-line, you go outside linebacker," Morgan told Panthers.com. "So, there's a lot of holes to fill. It's not going to happen overnight, but as we move through free agency, move through the draft, I think things will come together.

"On the defensive side, we're going to look at guys who can take the ball away, guys who can affect the quarterback." 

Here is some of what he witnessed: 

Morgan on DL: ‘We need to get stronger’

Missing Derrick Brown, their top defensive lineman, for nearly all of 2024, the Panthers failed to lock down the line of scrimmage, yielding 3,057 rushing yards, the third most in league history. They surrendered at least 200 yards in their final six outings.

“We need to get stronger there so we're able to stop the run,” Morgan said.  

Here is a glimpse of three top prospects who the Panthers could look at on each day of the April 24 draft in Green Bay:

• Mason Graham (Michigan): Regarded by many draft analysts as a top-five pick, Graham is seen as one of Morgan’s top choices at No. 8. Depending on how the quarterback class shakes out, the 6-foot-3, 320-pounder probably will fall that far.

Still, Morgan can dream of adding a potential high-end plug to the 3-4 defense. Graham opted out of most of Thursday’s on-field skills tests but participated in Friday's bench press. He repped 225 pounds 24 times, fourth best. Graham is scheduled to work out at Michigan's Pro Day on March 21. 

• Darius Alexander (Toledo): One of the top FBS prospects, Alexander is expected to be a Day 2 selection. His combine performance could increase his stock significantly. Alexander on Friday won the DL bench press, posting 28 reps. 

At 6-3, 305 pounds, Alexander has the measurables (34-inch arms) and athleticism. He registered a 4.95-second 40-yard dash, including a 1.72-second 10-yard split, which ranked fourth.

• C.J. West (Indiana): If Morgan addresses other needs, like safety, cornerback or wide receiver, early in the draft, West, an underrated Big 10 competitor, could come into play on Day 3.
The 6-1, 316-pounder ran a 4.95-second 40 with a 1.73-second 10-yard split. His arms measured 31.5 arms.

At OLB ‘You gotta be explosive’ 

When it comes to outside linebackers, Morgan seeks a particular skill set. 

“You gotta be explosive,” he said. “You gotta be athletic. You gotta be able to bend and get off the ball. Those are the type of athletes that win and win consistently in this league.

“That’s what we'll be focusing on.”

Morgan witnessed an explosive package Thursday in Tennessee defensive end James Pearce Jr., who clocked a 4.47-second 40 time, which topped former Panthers first-round draft pick Christian McCaffrey, a running back.

At 6-5, 245 pounds, Pearce's time included a 1.56-second split. Generally regarded as a top-20 talent, Pearce could be a fallback option if Mason is off the board and Morgan engineers a trade to fall back in the first round.

Here's a look at two other edge prospects Morgan could consider: 

• Jalon Walker (Georgia): The Salisbury native is expected to be drafted in the top 10. The Panthers are certainly intrigued with the 6-2, 245-pounder. Will he still be available? Walker elected not to participate in on-field drills Thursday. 

• Jihaad Campbell (Alabama): Described as rangy and physical, Campbell has experience on the edge and as an off-ball linebacker. The 6-3, 235-pounder clocked a 4.52-second 40 with a 1.53-second split.

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