Panthers GM 'Definitely Open to Trading Back' from No. 8 amid 2025 NFL Draft Rumors

After a previous report suggested that the Carolina Panthers would be interested in trading down from the No. 8 pick in the 2025 NFL draft, general manager Dan Morgan confirmed the rumors.

"We're definitely open to trading back," Morgan told reporters on Tuesday.

The Panthers are slotted right above the NFC South rival New Orleans Saints, who are believed to be considering selecting a quarterback in the wake of Derek Carr's reportedly potential season-ending shoulder injury. Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Morgan said "his phone didn’t go nuts" following the news of Carr's injury, but he reiterated that Carolina is open for business.

"We'll be waiting if somebody wants to come up," Morgan added.

Rapoport recently reported that there are "not a lot of teams trying to move up" in this year's draft, so the Panthers could be stuck with the eighth pick. B/R's NFL Scouting Department predicted in its latest mock draft that Carolina would select Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker at No. 8, giving the team a versatile defender who can make an instant impact.

"Walker's best position at the next level is still unknown," B/R NFL scout Matt Holder said, "but Carolina could use help at linebacker and edge-rusher. The defense gets both with the Georgia product as he could be a future building block alongside defensive tackle Derrick Brown."

Fans won't have to wait too much longer to see how things play out for the Panthers, as the 2025 draft is just over a week away on April 24.