Panthers Reportedly May Take 'Less Than Fair Value' to Trade Down in 2025 NFL Draft

The Carolina Panthers reportedly have a significant desire to trade down from the No. 8 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

In his latest mock draft posted Wednesday, NFL draft expert Todd McShay reported that a reliable source told him the Panthers "might take less than fair value" in a trade-down scenario.

McShay noted that if Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty is still on the board at No. 8, it could become a targeted spot for a team such as the Denver Broncos to move up and nab him.

However, if the Panthers stand pat, McShay named Ole Miss defensive tackle Walter Nolen, Georgia pass-rusher Mykel Williams, Texas A&M pass-rusher Shemar Stewart and Arizona wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan as players they could target at No. 8.

The Panthers are in no man's land to some degree in a draft that may be short on truly elite talent.

Assuming Colorado wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter and Penn State pass-rusher Abdul Carter come off the board inside the top three picks, there may not be much separating the next 10 to 15 players in the rankings.

Coming off a 5-12 season, the Panthers have several needs on both sides of the ball, and while they can address one of them at No. 8, they could just as easily address them later in the round.

Wide receiver is arguably among the Panthers' biggest needs, but this year's class is far weaker in terms of top-end talent than last year when Marvin Harrison Jr., Malik Nabers, Rome Odunze and Brian Thomas Jr. were among the first-round picks.

Trading back slightly could possibly still allow the Panthers to land the top wideout in this draft between McMillan, Texas' Matthew Golden, Missouri's Luther Burden III or Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka.

Getting quarterback Bryce Young some help in what could be his final year to firmly establish himself as the long-term starter is hugely important, but the Panthers have a chance to do that while also trading down and accumulating more picks.

Whether any teams want to trade up to No. 8 is an entirely different issue, and one that could prevent Carolina from making such a move even if it wants to.

The latest BR NFL Scouting Department mock draft has the Panthers selected Georgia pass-rusher Jalon Walker at No. 8 overall.

McShay had Walker coming off the board one pick before Carolina, but he named Walker as a player the Panthers like, so they could be compelled to stay put if he is available.