Carolina Panthers excel in 2025 draft with edge players

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Former Ohio State safety Lathan Ranson brings a physical presence to the Carolina Panthers, who drafted him Saturday with the 122nd pick in the NFL Draft.

The Carolina Panthers limited their risk during the 2025 NFL Draft.  

They wanted potential playmakers from proven programs on the edges of offense and defense and general manager Dan Morgan drafted them in the opening three rounds. First-round wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, second-round edge Nic Scourton and third-round edge Princely Umanmielen formed the core of Morgan’s eight picks over the three-day showcase in Green Bay.

Panthers Midwest scout Brad Obee explained that SEC players “are a good way to mitigate risk. Playing on a bigger stage, you know what you are getting.
“It eliminates risk.”

Carolina’s four SEC picks included Scourton (Texas A&M), Umanmielen (Mississippi), fourth-round running back Lathan Ransom (Georgia) and fifth-round defensive tackle Cam Jackson (Florida).

The Panthers also mined the Big Ten for fourth-round safety Lathan Ransom (Ohio State), Notre Dame for fifth-round tight end Mitchell Evans and the Big 12 for McMillan and Colorado receiver Jimmy Horn Jr.

Offensive tackle was one position Morgan, who engineered a pair of Day 2 trades, did not address in the draft, but announced Saturday that the team would pick up the fifth year of Ikem Ekwonu's rookie contract.

“We were looking for a tackle, but none fell into place,” Morgan said. 

Here is a look at the players who did fall into place on Saturday: 

Trevor Etienne provides RB depth

With 2024 second-round pick Jonathon Brooks likely sidelined for the 2025 season with his second knee injury in two years, Morgan took the opportunity to bring in Trevor Etienne, a former Georgia standout who will compete for carries behind 1,000-yard rusher Chuba Hubbard and free-agent signee Rico Dowdle.

The 114th selection could find his initial professional footing on special teams as a returner. Etienne (5-foot-9, 198 pounds) who averaged 5.0 yards per carry last season, ran a 4.42 40 and jumped 35 inches in the vertical leap at the combine.  

After averaging 24.8 yards per kickoff last season, Etienne, the younger brother of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ Travis Etienne could challenge Raheem Blackshear for primary return duties.

The pick was acquired in the trade deadline deal that sent Jonathon Mingo to the Dallas Cowboys.

Lathan Ransom tops in run defense

Ranson may not be the ball-hawking safety most draftniks predicted the Panthers would take, but his 93.7 run defense grade ranked first among all qualifying defenders last season.  

“I just feel like I’m an enforcer and a tone-setter,” he said.

The 122nd overall pick spent five seasons at Ohio State, appearing in all 15 games last season en route to a national championship. Ransom overcame two injury-shortened seasons to achieve first-team All-Big Ten as a senior, registering 76 tackles and forcing three fumbles.

On special teams, Ranson blocked a punt after breaking his thumb earlier in the game.  

Even with Ranson’s addition, the safety room remains thin with free agent Tre'Von Moehrig, Nick Scott and second-year undrafted free agent Demani Richardson.

While Ranson compiled three interceptions and two fumble recoveries in 56 games with the Buckeyes, it was his 227 total tackles and six forced fumbles, including three this season, that stood out most to Morgan.

Cam Jackson brings big presence to run defense

The 140th overall pick is big.  

Real big. 

At 6-6, 330 pounds with 34-inch arms, Jackson was drafted to stop the run. Last season, Carolina couldn’t, yielding a league-worst 3,057 rushing yards. They allowed 200-plus yards in each of the final six games.

Jackson will join a new-look unit that includes free agent signees Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III. The biggest addition, though, likely will be Derrick Brown returning from a knee injury suffered in the regular-season opener. 

Jackson’s pick completed the 2024 Brian Burns trade to the New York Giants.

Evans bolsters tight end depth

Adding depth – and another option for quarterback Bryce Young – Evans arrived with the 163rd pick.  

The former Notre Dame tight end amassed 43 catches for 421 yards and three touchdowns last season. He totaled four catches in the national championship loss to Ohio State.
Evans joins a tight end room featuring Ja’Tavion Sanders and Tommy Tremble, another former Notre Dame player who missed each other by one season.

Horn closes Panthers draft swiftly  

Adding speed and another return option in the sixth round (208th pick), Colorado receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. capped the Panthers’ draft.

Carolina adds a potential playmaker from the slot and special teams in Horn, who clocked 4.46 seconds in the 40-yard dash, executed a 10-foot-8 broad jump and 38-inch vertical at the combine.

At 5-8, 174 pounds, Horn, who played two seasons at South Florida, collected 58 catches for 567 yards and six touchdowns over two seasons with the Buffaloes. He also averaged 10.3 yards per punt return.
Horn described his game as "fearless."

He learned early. 

“Playing ball in the neighborhood with friends, you can’t play football scared,” he said. “You’ve got to be able to think under pressure.”

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