This past week, from the annual league meetings in Palm, Beach, Fla., Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales commended the work of his organization in setting up their draft approach by successfully attacking free agency. Now that many of the team's major needs have been at least somewhat addressed, Canales and company may be set up to take the best player available with their upcoming first-round pick.
But who will be available? And who, if available, are the likeliest selections for that eighth overall pick?
Well, perhaps the worldwide leader has some answers to that. ESPN Analytics attempted to forecast every pick of the 2025 NFL draft with their Draft Day Predictor tool.
So, ranked off their rough estimates, here are the 11 likeliest prospects to be taken by the Panthers at No. 8:
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Arizona: ~19 percent
The Panthers, according to Canales, may already have their No. 1 wideout in last year's first-round pick Xavier Legette. But it's clear that quarterback Bryce Young could still use another weapon or two.
Armand Membou, OT, Missouri: ~18.5 percent
Longtime starting right tackle Taylor Moton is on the final year of his contract. Could the Panthers, despite not having an immediate need for another offensive lineman, take this promising hog molly as Moton's heir apparent?
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State: ~13 percent
Like Membou, Jeanty doesn't present an obvious answer to a glaring hole. The Panthers seem ready to roll with Chuba Hubbard and free-agent signee Rico Dowdle out of the backfield in 2025.
Jalon Walker, EDGE/LB, Georgia: ~12.5 percent
Walker has felt like the
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